ENOLA, Pa., July 30 /EMWNews/ -- On Thursday, August 7,

2008 at 2PM the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) and the

Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Assault (LaFASA) will hold a press

conference to introduce their new joint publication, Sexual Violence in

Disasters: A Planning Guide for Prevention and Response. The event will

take place at the Cabildo Museum in New Orleans, LA.



    Judy Benitez, Executive Director of LaFASA explains, "The impact of

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005 focused our attention on a need for

better disaster planning that includes responding to sexual victimization

and working to decrease, and even prevent it. This book grew from our

mutual concern for victims in disaster."



    Karen Baker, NSVRC Director says, "We believe that this 'planning

guide' has real potential to help communities in working together to be

more effective when planning for impending disasters. It is important that

we don't forget about sexual assault victims."



    Several prominent individuals in the anti-sexual violence field will

speak at the press conference: Levette Kelly, Executive Director of the

Mississippi Coalition Against Sexual Assault; Judy Benitez, Executive

Director of LaFASA; Susan Lewis, NSVRC Communications Director; Alisa

Klein, author of the book; and Deb Travis, SANE Program Manager for

Louisiana State University Interim Hospital.



    This book offers recommendations to help communities in preparing for

all stages and kinds of disasters. It can assist in developing helpful

responses for sexual assault victims, creating comprehensive plans, and

coordinating far-reaching policy change that would ultimately serve to

prevent sexual violence.



    The Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Assault is a membership

organization of sexual assault crisis centers across Louisiana. The

coalition provides a collective voice to the state of Louisiana of survivor

concerns and needs. For more information call 888-995-7273 or visit

http://www.lafasa.org.



    The NSVRC provides resources and information on sexual violence. Phone

toll free: 877-739-3895 or visit http://www.nsvrc.org.