RDVIC hosts annual Walking with Survivors in Morgantown

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WBOY) — The Rape and Domestic Violence Information Center (RDVIC) hosted its annual Walking with Survivors event on Saturday to raise awareness for sexual assault victims and funds for a new shelter.

Around 100 people and more than 20 community programs in the area, including the Department of Homeland Security, came out to walk for survivors. RDVIC board member Virginia Hopkins discussed the importance of the event.

”This points out to the community, and to all the individuals that are in our community that these individuals need to be respected, understood and supported,” Hopkins said. “If we have a community who speaks harshly or unkindly about someone who has been through a terrible experience, then the experience is even worse.”

Students also attended the event in support of survivors, including West Virginia University student Mckenzie Lynch.

“This organization means a lot to our Greek life community, especially as sorority women on this campus, we want to come out and support those in our community on campus that have been impacted as a survivor or those that are just out here to support today.”

The RDVIC became the first agency to work with sexual assault victims in the state in 1973. According to the West Virginia Health Statistics Center , 1 in 6 adult women and 1 in 21 men will be the victim of an attempted or completed rape in the state.

If you are in need of assistance, RDVIC has a 24-hour hotline in the following counties:

• Monongalia: 304-292-5100
• Preston: 304-329-1687
• Taylor: 304-265-6534

For more information or to donate, visit their website .

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com.