On Sept. 28 women will have the opportunity to learn about violence and sexual assault. From 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Lundring Events Center  California Lutheran University, Deputy Chief Tim Lohman of Ventura County is leading the Female Sexual Assault Forum.

There will be five featured speakers to discuss women’s health, nutrition and self-esteem.

Junior Ryanna Morua is double majoring in psychology and criminal justice.

She studied female sexual assault and found that many cases go unreported, leaving women to stay in relationships unaware of a safe way to seek help.

“I definitely think in most cases women don’t have a choice to leave, because maybe their abusive partner is their only means of income, and [they] feel trapped,” Morua said. “They definitely feel helpless and I think when they are out in public and questioned they feel embarrassed and will make up lies to cover up what really happened.”

Junior Ashley Eggleston is also majoring in criminal justice. Eggleston hopes to become an FBI agent and is an advocate for educating women about sexual assault and giving them the tools to defend themselves against an attack.

Lohman has created this forum hoping to change the next generation’s chances of getting out of abusive relationships as well as avoiding them in the first place with safety precautions.

Lohman said if the women take away anything from this forum he hopes that they “walk away feeling like they can make changes to their lives and feel better about their health and personal safety.”

“Women really just to need to know that coming forward with their stories can only benefit them,” Morua said.

Women who are involved in an abusive relationship do not tend to come forward to law enforcement seeking out professional help. According to Lohman, he is not expecting women to come forward at this forum, but  hopes that women can become more educated so that they are able to get out of a bad situation and for future generations to escape the same problems.

Although intended to serve women ages 18-25, the forum is open to the public. Admission is free, but space is limited to 200 people.

Lohman is requesting for those who wish to attend to register online by Sept. 26.  Continental breakfast and lunch will be served.

For more information, call the Center for Equality and Justice at (805)-493-3964.

Erin Chisholm
Staff Writer
Published Sept. 25, 2013