The Marshalltown Police Department is advising local residents that April is “Sexual Assault Awareness Month.”

Sexual Assault is a common problem that all police departments throughout Iowa deal with on a far too regular basis.  In 2021, the Marshalltown Police Department investigated seventy crimes related to sexual abuse, exploitation, or sexual violence.  Those numbers significantly increased from 2020 when the department investigated fifty-six similar cases.  So far in 2022, the police department has investigated twenty-seven sexual abuse crimes.

Sexual assaults affect women, children, and men of all racial, cultural, and economic backgrounds.

Every 73 seconds, someone is sexually assaulted in the United States.  Many experts believe that rape and other forms of sexual assault are among the most under reported crimes.

The Marshalltown Police Department is committed to working with the Marshalltown community and its community partners to  combat crimes of sexual violence.  those directly affected by sexual assault may seek out support services by calling either the assault care center extending shelter and support sexual abuse crisis line at 800-203-3488, the Marshalltown Police Department at (641) 754-5725 or 9-1-1 for further assistance.