#METOO

If you've missed the #METOO movement, you've been living under a rock that doesn't offer internet service. The aftermath in Hollywood, sports, politics and the business world has been colossal with accusations flying and employment or endorsement terminations announced regularly. It's now a daily topic in all the news media.

I generally believe that it is best to avoid hot-button subjects that polarize people in one direction or another, but this subject is most definitely worthy of some objective thought—no matter the direction your opinion swings.

Views of harassment and sexual assault have been evolving in their interpretation in the wake of the #METOO movement. Sexual assault in the third degree in Wyoming is defined as, "an actor subjecting a victim to sexual contact under any of the circumstances (listed in the statutes, 6-2-304) without inflicting sexual intrusion on the victim and without causing serious bodily injury to the victim."

Specific sexual assault statistics are hard to find in Wyoming, but recent crime stats paint a picture of what is happening in our backyard. According to the Division of Criminal Investigation Uniform Crime Report for 2017, there were 12 murders, 1,193 violent crimes, 872 aggravated assaults and 234 rapes/attempted rapes, up from 181 in 2016.

An online survey launched in January by a nonprofit-called Stop Street Harassment offers some of that missing evidence. It found that 81 percent of women and 43 percent of men surveyed had experienced some form of sexual harassment during their lifetime.

That means that it’s very likely someone you know, male OR female has been harassed or worse at some point over their lifetime.

Although the topic is controversial, I hope that it has made you think, about your personal safety as well as your own behavior. The following tips can help you to be safe and lead by example.

1. Encourage civility. Model behavior by treating others and speaking to others the way you want to be treated and spoken to. Be professional and set a standard for others.
2. Don't be a bystander. If you observe an inappropriate situation, speak up or diffuse it. Change the conversation or encourage those involved to do something else.
3. Tell someone. If you are uncomfortable, let another person know! You don't have to suffer in silence and you can encourage others to speak up when needed.
4. Be safe. Be aware of your surroundings and the company you keep. Use well-lit entrances and parking lots, avoiding isolated places. Lock your car and home, even when you are in them. Do not take help from strangers and when you feel unsafe, listen to your body.

Have Questions?

Campbell County Health's Wellness works to reduce health risks and promote overall wellness among employee groups and individuals across the northeastern Wyoming region. To learn more about Wellness, please visit www.cchwyo.org/Wellness or call 307.688.8051.

Rachel Wilde, PBT, CPT, MA, works at CCH Wellness as a Technician and Phlebotomist