The Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs is the statewide coalition for Kentucky's 13 regional rape crisis centers, offering 24/7 crisis counseling, survivor support and prevention education.
Jenna Cassady, chief policy officer for the association, said stalking and other forms of sexual violence increasingly involve the internet and AI.
"Because advances in technology offer the opportunity to exploit someone sexually," Cassady explained. "Take pictures of them without their permission or even modify (the images) using AI."
According to sexual abuse advocacy organization RAINN, rapidly changing technology that can be used for sexual violence is developing faster than laws making such actions illegal. One global survey found 38% of women have personal experiences of online violence, and 85% of women have witnessed some form of digital violence.
Cassady added that rape crisis centers across the Commonwealth will be hosting events related to Prevention Month, where community members can participate and learn about how they can intervene and stop sexual assault from occurring.
"We want to support survivors and remind communities that prevention is possible and where they can step in," Cassady underscored.
According to the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, nearly half of women and around one in six men in the U.S. experience contact sexual violence in their lifetimes.
