Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office Hosts Educational Training Day for Area Seniors

ZANESVILLE, OH – April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention month.

In light of this, the Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office hosted a Sexual Assault Awareness Training day for area senior girls.

The day consisted of the girls learning self defense through demonstrations and slide show presentations talking about the different date rape drugs out there and their effects.

Bethany Hayes, an Investigator with the Prosecutor’s Office, said more than half of the girls that participated in the event today are heading off to colleges that are far from home.

“We wanted to give them the opportunity to gather the tools that they’re going to need.” Hayes said. “Making sure they are aware of their surroundings, what they need to do, and what they need to watch for. It’s just a collaborative effort of our office, talking about date rape drugs, showing techniques for self defense, and what they should do.”

Kasi Stewart, the Diversion Coordinator with the Prosecutor’s Office, said this was a great opportunity for these girls to learn that they have the power to stand up for themselves.

“Just giving them the knowledge, the education, the information that when they are going away to potentially college or things like that, they’re going to be on their own for the first time in their life.” Stewart said. “So making sure they know to be aware of their surroundings, pay attention to things, we’re also educating them on if something happens and what to do in that event. So that if you decide later on to press charges or things like that, you are prepared.”

Some of the Seniors that participated, Jillian Huball from the Mid-East Buffalo Campus and Eliza Jane Morrow from John Glenn , shared why they think this is a great program for future college students.

“I think that there’s a lot that was learned that I didn’t know about and now I do know.” Huball said. “Especially the tactics and techniques on certain easy to get out of situations was super helpful.”

“It reinforced everything that my parents have taught me since I was very little, on defending myself and always being aware of your surroundings.” Morrow said. “It is just so important in today’s world, just how easily things can happen and you can’t trust everybody in this world.”

This is the second year the Prosecutor’s Office has hosted the Sexual Assault Awareness Training day and there are already plans for next year’s event.