Sexual assault and domestic violence resources are displayed in the window of Roads to Peace in Lock Haven. The organization serves survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence.
"Sometimes, we kind of have a lull; we don't have any clients. It can be empty. I will say that's kind of the rarity, but I would say most of the time, we have at least five people in the shelter at a time," said Cheyenne Karichner, a domestic violence and sexual assault educator and volunteer coordinator for Roads to Peace.
Karichner says Roads to Peace has helped 115 survivors since last July.
If someone was sexually assaulted, we do have advocates that would be able to escort someone that had just experienced assault. They can provide the survivor support and accompaniment to the hospital to potentially get a forensic exam or sexual assault kit taken care of, and so they can collect the DNA evidence," said Karichner.
Experts say changes in behavior, wearing seasonally inappropriate clothing, and becoming uncomfortable around certain people are some of the warning signs to look out for.
"Kind of reverting back to themselves, kind of becoming unsociable, not really interacting with people—those are definitely some signs we look for in people that are experiencing abuse," said Karichner.
Karichner says a lot of people don't know what sexual assault or domestic violence looks like, which is why it's important to raise awareness, especially during April.
"Of course, those topics are very taboo or uncomfortable, so we don't really like to talk about sexual assault or domestic violence in society, so the most important part is just having the conversation with your friends, your family, your children, just so they know how to protect themselves."
Roads to Peace is looking for donations of paper products, easy-to-prepare meals, kid-friendly snacks, and hygiene products. Donations can be dropped off at the nonprofit along West Main Street in Lock Haven.