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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Ticket availability ... As It Was: 'Infidel Hall' in Talent hosted 'Mental Library' ... Applications for marijuana dispensaries increase ... Ticket availability ... As It Was: 'Infidel Hall' in Talent hosted 'Mental Library' ... Applications for marijuana dispensaries increase ... COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTOR Improving the lives of women is the focus for Soroptimists in Ashland Comment By Christina Christensen DailyTidings.com By Christina Christensen Posted Mar. 30, 2015 at 8:29 PM By Christina Christensen Posted Mar. 30, 2015 at 8:29 PM » Social News Up to 90 percent of women in Oregon who are sexually assaulted fail to report the assault, according to the Oregon Attorney General’s Sexual Assault Response Team Task Force. In Soroptimist International of Ashland (SI Ashland), helping to change the culture that keeps assault victims silent is a concern of their Human Rights and Status of Women committee chaired by Susan Moen and Barbara Stout. Chartered in 1946, SI Ashland supports projects both locally and globally to improve the status of women. Their core values include gender equality free from discrimination, empowerment for women and girls to act in their own best interest and an education giving women and girls the ability to live productive lives both locally and globally. On the local level, members of SI Ashland know the way for positive change in the status of women is to work to raise awareness concerning the issues that continue to plague women today both in our community and abroad. They are proud supporters of Jackson County SART (Sexual Assault Response Team) here in the Rogue Valley as they set the tone for changing the culture that keeps victims silent by working with today’s youth. Teaching about sexual harassment at a young age can shift the message to one of looking out for your friends instead of leaving them to fend for themselves and remain silent. They now have the right to say NO as they learn skills of empathy and communication that will help them later in life. SI Ashland recognized Detective Carrie Hull of the Ashland Police Department in 2014 for her work in founding and administrating the You Have Options program for sexual assault victims. The You Have Options program has quickly become a nationwide model for victim centered reporting for law enforcement on college campuses. Ashland Police Department’s You Have Options program aids in increasing reports of sexual assault so that offenders may be prosecuted and prevented from committing future offenses. The program offers sexual assault survivors a safe and flexible platform for anonymous reporting. The victims control who is contacted throughout the reporting process, during the investigation and when to proceed with charges if they decide to do so. In cooperation with the Ashland Police Department, SI Ashland has sponsored community events with speakers in 2012 and 2013 about sex trafficking. They continue to support non-profits that are actively involved in fighting gender-based local human trafficking. They give ongoing support to the Maslow Project, Ashland Community Resource Center, Lotus Rising and SART. Soroptimist International holds consultative status within the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), which oversees UN activities and policies promoting human rights. This has made it possible for two members to attend the Beijing +20 Conference earlier this month in New York City focusing on violence against women and improve conditions for women worldwide. The women of Ashland continue to educate themselves and the community about the needs of women both locally and internationally for a safer environment for women worldwide. For information about Soroptimist projects or membership, contact Kathy Garrett-Canape at [email protected] or [email protected]. Christina Christensen is a member of Soroptimist International of Ashland.   By Christina Christensen DailyTidings.com By Christina Christensen Posted Mar. 30, 2015 at 8:29 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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