Letter of the Week: Doing more to aid victims of sexual assaults

Sexual violence

Three distinct professions in the Kansas City area — law enforcement, advocacy and health care — partnered to bring a special, nationwide public-awareness campaign to improve the response to victims of sexual assault. That campaign, Start by Believing, was created by End Violence Against Women International.

After a sexual assault, a victim typically confides first in a friend or family member. Start by Believing is based on research that shows a positive response to the victim’s disclosure can be the first step toward her or his recovery.

In contrast, experts warn that an initial negative response not only can exacerbate the victim’s trauma and lead to years of post-traumatic stress but also can preclude the victim from getting the justice, health care and advocacy services that she or he needs and deserves.

Kansas City became one of the first cities officially to endorse the Start by Believing campaign through a proclamation sponsored by Councilwoman Jolie Justus and signed by Mayor Sly James.

Many metro agencies are embracing the campaign, offering our community an opportunity to show support for survivors of sexual violence.

Michael L. Weaver, M.D., of Kansas City is a founding member of End Violence Against Women International. He is medical director of the Clinical Forensic Program at St. Luke’s Health System and a board-certified emergency medicine physician.

This story was originally published May 15, 2016 at 3:00 PM with the headline "Letter of the Week: Doing more to aid victims of sexual assaults."