Hilltop Inclusivity +
One of Hilltop’s values is Inclusivity: respecting individual differences, ensuring equal opportunities, and condemning prejudicial actions. Many cultures, heritages and diverse groups are represented within Hilltop and the community we serve. We strive to recognize, celebrate, and educate on the importance of our full spectrum of diversity.
Real progress on diversity and inclusion doesn’t happen without real work. We need to learn and relearn, have uncomfortable conversations, and examine our conscious and unconscious biases if we’re going to produce genuine change. Explore the content below to learn new concepts, understand the experiences of others, and reflect on how to turn these ideas into action.
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What is Sexual Assault?
Sexual assault is the act of any sexual contact, behavior, or activity that occurs without the consent of the victim.
Individuals began advocating for sexual assault prevention in the 1940s & 50’s alongside the civil rights movement. Advocacy and action were largely championed by Black women and women of color, including Rosa Parks. The first rape crisis center was founded in San Francisco in 1971, followed by the first U.S. Take Back the Night event seven years later. The following decades mobilized survivors and advocates to call for legislation and funding that would support survivors, such as the Violence Against Women Act of 1993.
From there the movement of sexual assault prevention and awareness only grew until the foundation of the first Sexual Assault Awareness Month in 2001. Now the focus is shifting to bringing in audiences beyond advocates and victims to those who may not realize they play an important role in preventing sexual violence. By reaching people like parents, faith leaders, and coaches they can become agents of change in their communities.
The 2024 theme for Sexual Assault Awareness Month is Building Connected Communities. By educating and strengthening our community we can reduce the likelihood of sexual abuse, assault, and harassment. Any space where people come together is a community; neighborhoods, workplaces, campuses, organizations, even online spaces. Community is powerful, it creates a sense of belonging and reminds us of how our beliefs, choices, and actions impact one another. At the center of the theme Building Connected Communities is ensuring our communities are safe, inclusive, and equitable. Racism, sexism, classism, heterosexism, ageism, ableism, and other forms of oppression contribute to higher rates of sexual harassment, assault, and abuse. We must address all abuses of power to prevent sexual violence – in our relationships, communities, and society.
Explore the information below to learn more about prevention, advocacy, and resources for victims and survivors.
What is Consent?
Consent is the act of communicating an agreement to engage in sexual contact or activity. Even after consenting, you can change your mind at any time.
In the State of Colorado the age of consent is 17 years old. Anyone under the age of 17 years old is leagally unable to consent; meaning that sexual contact or activity with anyone under the age of 17 is considered statutory rape. This does not include Colorado’s “Romeo and Juliet” law.
Did you know that your ability/capacity to consent is also important in regards to sexual content or activity?
Other things to keep in mind when considering consent:
- Does the victim have a developmental disability or traumatic brain injury that would prevent them from legally consenting?
- Was the victim intoxicated? Consent cannot be given by people who are intoxicated or under the influence of drugs
- Did the victim have a physical disability? While disabled persons can consent, if their disability puts them in a helpless state where they cannot defend themselves or fight off their offender consent has not been given
- Was the victim’s perpetrator a person of authority or a person of trust?
- Was the victim unconscious? Unconscious people cannot consent
- Is the victim considered a vunderable adult? Vunerable adults (elderly or ill persons) who rely on other people for care may not be able to consent
Women and Girls
- 82% of all juvenile victims are female. 90% of adult rape victims are female
- Females ages 16-19 are 4 times more likely than the general population to be victims of rape, attempted rape, or sexual assault
- Women ages 18-24 who are college students are 3 times more likely than women in general to experience sexual violence
LGBTQIA+
- Bisexual women are 2.6 times more likely to report experiencing sexual violence compared to heterosexual women
- An estimated 3.6% of lesbian women had experienced sexual assault in their lifetime
- One third of lesbian women who experienced sexual assault report having more than one male perpetrator
- 21% of TGQN (transgender, genderqueer, nonconforming) college students have been sexually assaulted, compared to teh 18% of non-TGQN females, and 4% of non-TGQN males
Prisoners
- An estimaged 80,600 inmates each year experience sexual violence while in prison or jail
- 60% of all sexual violence against inmates is perpetrated by jail or prison staff
- More than 50% of the sexual contact between inmates and staff members, all of which is illegal, is nonconsensual
Men and Boys
- As of 1998, 2.78 million men in the U.S. had been victims of attempted or completed rape
- About 3% of American men – or 1 in 33 – have experienced an attempted or completed rape in their lifetime
- 1 out of every 10 rape victims are male
American Natives
- On average, American Indians ages 12 and older experience nearly 6,000 sexual assaults per year
- American Indians are twice as likely to experience a rape/sexual assault compared to all races
- 41% of sexual assaults against American Indians are commited by a stranger, 34% by an acquaintance, and 25% by an intimate partner or family member
The Military
- 6,053 military members reported experiencing sexual assault during military service in 2018
- DoD estimates 20,500 service members experience sexual assault that year
- DoD also estimages 6.2% of active duty women, and 0.7% active duty men experienced sexual assault in 2018
Calendar of Events
Leave a comment to share your own story or idea – let your voice be heard! Contact Hollie VanRoosendaal with questions, thoughts, concerns, or if you are looking for ideas for personal growth or team development. holliev@htop.org | 970.244.0451
Here’s another book for the Asian American perspective on being Asian in America: Farewell To Manzanar by Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston and James D. Houston. It is an autobiographical account of her experiences during her time in an American WWII Japanese internment camp. I read this book while in Middle school and found it to be a poignant and thoughtful accounting of what it meant to be Asian in America during that time.
Looking forward to Pride activities. I haven’t participated for several years. We have come a long way since the 60’s!
Go women’s soccer!!
https://www.npr.org/2022/02/22/1082272202/women-soccer-contracts-equal-pay-settlement-uswnt
Hi there Hilltoppers! For those of you living in the Delta, Montrose, Ridgeway, and Ouray communities…I just wanted to update you that a Pride event is taking place on July 25th from 4:00 to 8:00 at Hartwell Park in Ridgeway! It’s the first annual Ouray County pride fest!
I love this! Thank you for getting this going! There is not enough conversation about diversity and inclusivity (especially in many smaller towns) and I am so proud to work for an organization so willing to address that ❤
Trying the link to the Ted Talk “Difference between being “not racist” and “anti-racist” again….https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCxbl5QgFZw
Hi again! Just wanted to share some more resources for everyone to take a deeper dive into Black History month, current topics that affect Black Americans in the United States, and how to be an ally to the Black community. Several of these resources have been read, watched, and discussed by Hilltop leadership and we thought it was fitting to share these resources and learning opportunities with you!
Black Americans making history in 2021 – https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/News/gma-inspiration-list-making-black-history-2021/story?id=75228763
White Fragility Ted Talk – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45ey4jgoxeU
White Fragility Book (Robin DiAngelo) – http://www.beacon.org/White-Fragility-P1631.aspx
Understanding Anti-racism Ted Talk – Difference between being “not racist” and “anti-racist” -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCxbl5QgFZw
How To Be An Anti-Racist Book (Ibram X. Kendi) – https://www.ibramxkendi.com/how-to-be-an-antiracist
13th Documentary (Ava Duvernay) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krfcq5pF8u8
Just Mercy Official Movie Trailer – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVQbeG5yW78
Just Mercy Book (Bryan Stevenson) – https://justmercy.eji.org/
Want to access these books and videos for free? Mesa County Public Library has all these and more! I’ve included their instruction page for getting a library card and using their on-line system to check-out books, videos, and so much more! Did you know that there’s also a free app you can load on your phone to access books and audio books for free through the library? It’s called the Libby App and I’ve included a link for you to learn more about it and load it on your phone, computer/laptop, tablet, etc. Enjoy!!
Library card & online book/video rental information – https://mesacountylibraries.org/services/library-cards/
Libby App (Free book & audio book library rentals) – https://www.overdrive.com/apps/libby/
Hollie and Dylan, thank you for creating this site. I enjoyed watching the Local Profile Spotlight featuring, Mona Highline.
I love this so much! Thank you for all of your work, Hollie and Dylan.
Hi all! It was brought to my attention that the link above to the PBS documentary series on the Reconstruction requires a monthly subscription to PBS passport. Here is the free option through YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97JqxwjTuf8 Part 1&2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nsi9uJy5azE Part 3&4
Love, Love, Love EVERYTHING about this page! So proud of Hilltop and Hollie for making this initiative a priority!
I love this new page!