When recounting her experience, sexual assault survivor Karla considered, if someone had believed her the first time when she recounted her assault, how comforting that would have been.

“If you are believed, then you have at least an ally,” Karla said. “You have someone that’s listening. Because so many things are going through your head, and it’s threatening to turn into shame, and you are scared.”

Years later, Karla told her story and found the strength to use her experience to comfort others.

Karla is now changing the narrative around sexual violence as Summit County Prosecutor Elliot Kolkovich joined her to honor the beginning of National Sexual Assault Awareness Month and the county’s Start by Believing campaign.

On April 2, Karla and leaders of the community gathered to celebrate a proclamation for establishing the National Start by Believing Day for the county.

Summit began using the national campaign in 2019 when it was implemented by former prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh.

Start by Believing seeks to end the cycle of violence in cases of sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking and child sexual abuse.

Kolkovich’s desires for victims to feel comfortable coming forward, regardless of the crime, is echoed in the mission of Start by Believing.

Karla agreed with the sentiments and added that when approached by a victim to avoid judgement, let them talk in addition to believing them.

Nikki Gasiewski is a KSTV Reporter. Contact her at [email protected].