KANSAS CITY, Mo. — More than 700 people reported sexual assaults to hospitals in the Kansas City area last year. On Wednesday, local law enforcement took a stand to make sure every one of those reports are taken seriously.
"That simple first step of saying, 'I believe you and I'm so sorry this happened to you,' can be a dramatic change in the life of a survivor," said Victoria Pickering, director of advocacy at the Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault, or MOSCA.
Pickering said this message is more important than ever.
"Often times those three words, 'I believe you,' seem like they should go without saying, but it's really important to say them out loud to somebody who discloses sexual assault because the fear of not being believed is a really valid fear," Pickering said.
As the #MeToo movement has empowered survivors to come forward, the MOSCA crisis line saw a 30 percent increase in 2018.
At the same time, 700 victims of sexual assault sought support at area hospitals, a 5 percent increase from 2017.
"We are sending a message to survivors that what happened to them matters and that they don't have to go through this alone," Pickering said.
It's a sentiment shared by those in the criminal justice system.
On Wednesday, the Metro Chiefs and Sheriffs Association signed a proclamation for the "Start By Believing" campaign, an initiative in which law enforcement promises to uphold their commitment to survivors and ending sexual violence.
"And believe that we can come together and understand what they're going through (and) we can better resolve the crime that happens," Wyandotte County District Attorney Mark Dupree said.
Pickering said change starts with compassion.
"It's important that we start by believing that person and that we meet that disclosure with compassion, with kindness and with support," she said.
If you or someone you know is a victim of sexual assault, call the MOSCA crisis line at 816-531-0233.
