Operation Freefall 2012

Thank you to everyone who participated in and supported our agency and our involvement with this event. With the 2011 event, Rape Crisis Center of Catawba County was able to raise over $3,300. In case you missed the event last year, this is a nationwide skydiving event to help raise awareness about sexual violence. Every year on the last Saturday in April, thousands of people take to the sky to take the 2 mile high stand against sexual assault! Our agency is getting ready for this year's event which will take place on April 28, 2012. There is a significant amount of fundraising required to participate. The good news is that this year the fundraising has decreased from $1,000 to $850. If you are interested and/or would like more information, please email Brittany Inskeep (b.inskeep@rapecrisiscenter.com).

Jeans for Justice 2012

• The Rape Crisis Center of Catawba County, Inc will host Jeans for Justice on May 19, 2012, from 6pm to 8pm at the Hickory Art Museum on the SALT Block. Artwork that is juried into the museum will hang from April 7 - May 27, 2012.
• The purpose is to demonstrate the rights of sexual assault victims through art and urge people to wear and decorate jeans in remembrance of a 1999 decision in Italian High Court.
•  The court overturned a rape conviction because the victim was wearing jeans at the time of the attack. The court’s ruling included, “It is common knowledge…that jeans cannot even be partly removed without the effective help of the person wearing them…and it is impossible when the victim is struggling with all her might.”  Following the ruling, a group of female Italian lawmakers wore jeans to parliament. This action prompted women all over Italy to join in a skirt strike and wear jeans.
• It's not too early to start your masterpiece! Any denim medium may be used. Rape Crisis Center of Catawba County has an art room full of great art supplies. The art room and supplies are open to the public. If you are interested in using our supplies to work on your Jeans for Justice piece, we just ask that you call ahead and give us notice so we can prepare for your arrival.