The statistics are sobering. In North Carolina, only 30 percent of victims of sexual assault report the crime. Yet, in 2007, there were 248,300 victims of rape, attempted rape or sexual assault, and 84 percent of those victims know their attacker.

Women or men in Anson County that have been sexually assaulted may feel alone, or afraid to report the crime. But Anson County Domestic Violence Coalition (ACDVC) is striving to tear down those obstacles and let victims know that help is out there— and closer than they may think.

"We are a rape crisis center, too," said ACDVC victim advocate Karen Baucom.

The ACDVC's staff of four help victims through the court process, provide companionship, one-on-one counseling and support groups.

And their services are being needed more and more in the Anson community. In just the past week, the coalition gained 14 new clients, indicating that domestic violence and sexual assault are growing problems in this area.

The ACDVC is unique in that whenever a domestic violence or sexual assault call comes in to 911, one of the staff of counselors heads out, along with officers and paramedics.

"Whatever time it is, we go," director Rosetta Martin said. "It doesn't matter if it's 3 a.m. We get up and we go."

Martin and her colleagues at the ACDVC just recently started a domestic violence/sexual assault task force, which includes representatives from the district attorney's office, sheriff's department, Department of Social Services, the faith community, hospital, EMS, 911 and the health department.

"We have a lot of clients in common," Martin explained, "so our goal is to find better resources to help victims of these crimes."

"We can all share and figure out what we can do to stop domestic violence and sexual assault," Baucom added.

In addition to the task force, ACDVC is also helping raise awareness by encouraging all Anson County workers to wear jeans on Monday, April 6, in support of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Dressing more casually won't cost a thing, and ACDVC is encouraging the county offices to allow their staff to wear jeans.

ACDVC is also selling $2 teal ribbon pins in support of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The pins can be purchased at the ACDVC office on Wade Street, next to Hometown Video.

ACDVC is also offering free self-defense classes for men and women of all ages. They will be held at 7 p.m. on Mondays, April 6, 20 and 27, at Just for Kicks, 121 Mortham St., which is located behind the Dollar General in Wadesboro.

"The biggest thing we want victims to know is that they are not alone," Baucom said. "And this is confidential. We don't work for the DA's office or the sheriff's office. We work for the victims."

The ACDVC 24-hour crisis line is 1-704-690-0362.