April Marks 25 Years of Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Prosecutors and advocates say more work is needed to address the issue in Indiana

Apr. 3, 2026 at 6:34pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a crumpled police evidence bag containing a torn piece of clothing, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic.The harsh flash of a camera captures the grim details of a sexual assault investigation, underscoring the critical need for greater awareness and action to address this pervasive issue.La Porte Today

April marks the 25th anniversary of national Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Statistics show 60% of women and 25% of men in Indiana have been victims of sexual violence, but more than 60% of sexual assaults go unreported. La Porte County Prosecutor Sean Fagan said sexual assault can include anything from rape to sharing intimate images without consent, and emphasized the importance of educating communities about prevention and reporting.

Why it matters

Sexual assault remains a pervasive issue in Indiana, with high rates of victimization and underreporting. Raising awareness and taking action to address this problem is critical to protecting vulnerable community members and holding perpetrators accountable.

The details

According to the Indiana Coalition to End Sexual Assault and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 60% of women and 25% of men in Indiana have been victims of sexual violence over their lifetimes. However, Fagan noted that the actual numbers are likely higher, as more than 60% of sexual assaults go unreported. Fagan defined sexual assault as any form of unwanted sexual contact, including rape and nonconsensual sharing of intimate images.

  • April 2026 marks the 25th anniversary of national Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

The players

Sean Fagan

The La Porte County Prosecutor, who emphasized the importance of educating communities about sexual assault prevention and reporting.

Indiana Coalition to End Sexual Assault

An organization that provided statistics on the prevalence of sexual violence in Indiana.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

A federal agency that also contributed data on sexual assault rates in Indiana.

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What they’re saying

“'Unfortunately, there's not one solution that can magically fix the enormous problem of sexual assault, but there are ways we can educate our communities about prevention and appropriate response to sexual violence.'”

— Sean Fagan, La Porte County Prosecutor

“'Our office depends on the courage of community members, colleagues, friends, family, and survivors to report abuse to law enforcement when it occurs. This is the only way we can hold abusers accountable for their crimes and take action to stop or prevent sexual violence in the future.'”

— Sean Fagan, La Porte County Prosecutor

What’s next

Prosecutors and advocates plan to continue their efforts to raise awareness and promote reporting of sexual assault throughout Sexual Assault Awareness Month and beyond.

The takeaway

While progress has been made in addressing sexual assault, the high rates of victimization and underreporting in Indiana highlight the ongoing need for comprehensive education, prevention, and support services to protect vulnerable community members and hold perpetrators accountable.