A panel discussion on the book “Cry Rape” will commemorate Sexual Assault Awareness Month at N.C. Central University today at 9 a.m. in the Eagle Landing multipurpose room.

“Cry Rape” is the true story of a rape victim’s quest for justice.

The panel features Bill Leuders, author of “Cry Rape,” and other sexual awareness advocates.

The event is sponsored by NCCU’s Women’s Center, the Durham Crisis Response Center (DCRC), Durham Human Relations and the North Carolina Coalition against Sexual Assault (NCCASA).

“I am glad that awareness is being raised around the campus of NCCU concerning sexual assault,” said family consumer science senior Angela Morse.

A report by the UNC-Chapel Hill departments of maternal and child health and epidemiology stated 1 in 5 North Carolina women and 1 in 16 men are assaulted at some point in their lives.

More surprisingly, 1 in 4 females and 1 in 7 males are sexually abused before age 18.

According to Leslie Thompson, a sexual assault interventionist at the DCRC, sexual assaults on NCCU’s campus are often related to alcohol use.

“I am seeing more cases of alcohol-facilitated sexual assaults at NCCU,” said Thompson.

“Sexual assault violence doesn’t just hit females,” said Thompson.

“A man or a woman can be hit at any time. [Sexual assault] is a genderless crime.”

Thompson, whose mother is a domestic violence survivor, said she always had a passion for helping others.

“I am very, very blessed and fortunate to be able to do this work,” she said.

“I am about women’s health issues and ending violence against women.”

DCRC and NCCU are working together to eliminate sexual assault and domestic violence in the community and on campus.

DCRC provides shelter, counseling support groups and a 24-hour crisis line for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. Last year, DCRC assisted some 170 people.

Services for victims of sexual assault are available on campus at the Women’s Center, student health services, the campus police department and the campus ministry.

The Women’s Center, located in suite 120 of the student services building, provides counseling services, workshops, presentations and support groups.

DCRC volunteers must complete 40 hours of advocacy training, be 18 with a driver’s license and have a passion for helping others.

Volunteers also are needed for fundraising and organizing sexual awareness events on campus.

Students can contact the NCCU Women’s Center at (919) 530-6811 and DCRC’s crisis line at (919) 403-6562.