f you’re a victim of sexual assault, or know a victim, there’s help.

Members of the community recently learned more about what those resources are and how to access them.

The Sexual Assault Resource and Counseling Center of Schuylkill County conducted a free seminar examining the “Facts About Sexual Assault: Help and Healing in Our Community,” held recently at Lehigh Carbon Community College’s Morgan Center in Tamaqua.

Educators and counselors answered questions about local resources and response to sexual assault and abuse.

Among those on hand were Stephen Toth, assistant superintendent, Tamaqua Area School District; Micah Gursky, Rural Health Clinic administrator, St. Luke’s University Health Network’s Miners Campus in Coaldale; Ben Turrano, Green Dot coordinator, SARCC; Clarissa Geary, director of Prevention, Education and Volunteer Services, SARCC; Stephanie Barron, vice president, SARCC; and Jennifer Drake, SARCC board member.

Ali Perrotto, president/CEO of the Sexual Assault Resource & Counseling Center of Lebanon and Schuylkill counties, said the purpose of the seminar was to have a good conversation in the community on sexual assault facts, explain what research tells us, and to be more informed that there are survivors of sexual assault no matter where we go.

The resource and counseling center has provided no-cost counseling and education services to the district since 2009.

Perrotto said the organization last year provided 58 programs to 1,413 students in the Tamaqua Area School District on topics ranging from body safety to bystander engagement.

She said they also served 470 survivors in Schuylkill County in fiscal year 2016-17.

“We see sexual assault as a very serious and widespread issue,” Perrotto said.

Kristen Houser, chief public affairs officer for the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape, served as guest speaker.

Houser said sexual violence spans an array of behaviors.

“The term sexual violence is really broad,” Houser said. “Most of the time, this is a crime that is a violation of trust.”

Turrano asked Houser how the #MeToo Movement is going.

Houser said she loves it, and believes it’s an important moment in time.

Also discussed were ways for adults to focus on protecting children from sexual predators.

Barron said it’s important to let children who report matters to let them know there is help out there.

“Even just going back to the basics and asking, ‘Are you OK, buddy’,” Barron said. “Sometimes it’s that simple: Are you OK?’”

There was also discussion on the Mandated Reporter Law.

SARCC has staff members who are trained to provide Department of Education-approved Mandated Reporter Training for any professionals or adults who work with children.

Training covers not only requirements and reporting processes, but also information on the signs and symptoms of sexual abuse, minimal facts interviewing and a trauma-informed approach to working with children when abuse is suspected. The training is done to increase knowledge, understanding and willingness to make reports.

Perrotto said anyone who ever finds themselves in a position of sexual assault should call 570-628-2965.