Moving to End Sexual Assault (MESA) has served the community since 1972 as the only sexual violence resource center serving Boulder County, Colorado.

Top 10 Sexual Violence Headlines of 2020

As 2021 approaches, MESA has been reflecting on the past year.  Living amidst a global pandemic, a turbulent election season, and the protest movements for racial justice have left many of us longing for a new year. We learned in 2020 that sexual violence does not stop for a pandemic. While some of the year’s top headlines remind us of the pervasiveness of this epidemic crime, many others have given a voice to survivors and held perpetrators of sexual violence accountable.  Below is a recap of some of the local and national stories that stood out to us during 2020.

 

 January 2020:

Fairview High School responded to recent sexual assault allegations and arrests of students in Boulder Valley School District by having MESA provide training to staff, parents and students. https://bit.ly/3hsLZIt

 

February 2020:

Dr. Janine D’Anniballe, the Director of MESA for the past 22 years discussed her journey working in the field of sexual violence in Denver Voyage. https://bit.ly/2WWlvG2

Two University of Colorado-Boulder students created a new app that could help prevent sexual assault. MESA commented on our view of the app.  https://bit.ly/2WWjqtq

 

March 2020:

Harvey Weinstein, the former Hollywood mogul accused of committing various acts of sexual violence for decades, received a sentence of 23 years in prison for rape and sexual assault. https://dpo.st/3rNULFU

 

May 2020:

Betsy DeVos, the Secretary of Education, pushed through new Title IX regulations creating greater protections for students accused of sexual misconduct. https://nyti.ms/3pzOdIQ

 

July 2020:

The FBI arrested Ghislaine Maxwell for her involvement in sex trafficking and sexually assaulting young girls with Jeffery Epstein. Her arrest provided some hope for the countless victims who would not receive justice after Epstein died by suicide.  https://n.pr/3hq6khJ

 

September 2020:

Senior Deputy District Attorney of Boulder, Laura Kinde received the Prosecutor of the Year Award for her successful prosecution of sex crimes. https://bit.ly/2WU6PHl

Two local students advocated for change and more training on sexual violence prevention in Boulder Valley School District. https://dpo.st/2WUbKIf

 

October 2020: A former University of Colorado-Boulder student was convicted of sexual assault. https://bit.ly/37Whk36

 

December 2020

To end the year on a positive note, The United Nations Women Organization launched “Orange the world, end violence against women. https://bit.ly/34UYEiq

Lindsey Breslin
Program Supervisor
Moving to End Sexual Assault (MESA)