One in Five 5k Run/Walk successful awareness campaign

WATERVILLE — Sexual Assault Crisis and Support Center hosted its sixth annual One in Five 5K Run/Walk April 30, at Thomas College recognizing Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a national awareness campaign to raise public awareness about sexual violence and to educate communities on how to prevent it. More than 500 race participants, families, and community members attended the annual event and raised more than $24,000 to support the center’s wraparound services provided to victims and survivors of sexual violence.

The One in Five 5K represents the current Maine statistic of an estimated “one in five” people in Maine who have been affected by sexual violence, a statistic provided by the Muskie School of Public Policy, Maine Crime Victimizations Rates, 2011. Located in Winthrop, Sexual Assault Crisis & Support Center’s mission is to lessen the trauma-related suffering of sexual assault and promote healing by guiding those affected by sexual violence toward survival through support, advocacy, education and community collaboration. Thanks to the generosity and support of community partners, SAC&SC has assisted and supported more than 17,000 people through their many programs within Kennebec and Somerset counties in the past year alone.

Team and individual awards were presented at the event. The Largest Team was Supporters of Victim Services, with a total of 60 participants. Family Violence Project was awarded Most Team Spirit; team members wore teal and purple tutus representing the awareness colors for sexual assault and domestic violence. Top Fundraising Team was KSW Federal Credit Union, serving Kennebec, Somerset and portions of Waldo counties, and the Top Fundraising Individual award went to Virginia Killam.

Cecilia Dube earned the ribbon for Overall Female, with a time of 20 minutes and 46 seconds; Jay Nutting earned the ribbon for Overall Male, with a time of 20 minutes and 49 seconds. For a complete list of race results, visit www.runsignup.com/oneinfive5k.

For more information about SAC&SC, call 207-377-1010 or visit www.silentnomore.org.

To access the 24-hour, confidential, state-wide, sexual assault support line, call 1-800-871-7741.