arkansas valley resource center, Interpersonal Violence, Non-Profit Agency, Sexual Assault Awareness & Prevention Month, Sexual Assualt, Victim Rights Act, Victim Service Agency, Victim Service Provider

We #StartByBelieving

Most victims of sexual assault do not report the crime to law enforcement. Many never tell anyone. Then because so few assaults are reported – most perpetrators walk free.


It’s time to end this cycle. It all starts in your own community. When someone tells you they were sexually assaulted, make a pledge to Start by Believing.

Start by Believing is a public awareness campaign designed to end the cycle of silence and change the way we respond to sexual assault. It was first launched in April 2011. Since then, thousands of people across the country and around the world have made both personal and professional commitments.

Are you ready to make change for victims and survivors of sexual assault? Start by making your own personal commitment to Start by Believing and take the pledge!

  • I pledge to Start by Believing when someone tells me about their sexual assault.
  • I pledge to help survivor on the road to justice and healing.
  • I pledge to end the cycle of silence.

By transforming personal and professional responses to sexual assault, we can help victims pursue justice and healing. Stop the cycle and make our communities safer!

If you or someone you care about has experienced sexual violence, help and support is a phone call away! Arkansas Valley Resource Center offers comprehensive services to support victims and survivors of sexual assault, including safety planning, civil legal and criminal justice advocacy, and peer-based counseling. AVRC Staff is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

415 Colorado Avenue, La Junta, CO 81050
(719) 384-7764
TTY: (719) 384-1938
After Hours Colorado Relay dial 711 or 1-800-659-2656

AVRC is non-discriminatory agency regarding age, race, religion, color, gender, country of national origin, sexual orientation, mental health status, substance use or economic condition.

Graphics and content provided by End Violence Against Women International (EVAWI)
startbybelieving.org / evawintl.org