MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – In recognition of April being sexual assault awareness month, Middletown Art Center presents “Breaking Silence: The Healing Process of Sexual Assault Survivors” produced by Joe Schneider with photography by Franklin Avery.

The exhibit will be free and open to the public starting Thursday, March 29, and continuing through Monday April 2.

Please join the artist and representatives from the Lake Family Resource Center on Friday evening from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. or Saturday from 3 to 5 p.m. for a viewing and presentation.

This is an opportunity to learn about the issues surrounding healing from sexual assault and the services available in Lake County in support of survivors and their loved ones.

Breaking Silence, a multimedia exhibit includes 14 candid, intense, and often disturbing interviews with women and men who have been sexually assaulted.

Listeners are provided with audio of the interviews and view photographs of the people they hear. These people become alive and relatable as they share the profound impact sexual assault has had on their lives and their individual path to healing.

It may be a natural or conditioned human reaction to want to deny sexual assault; however, these issues are no longer hidden behind a wall of silence and secrecy, as communities increasingly engage in these important conversations in response to the recent #MeToo movement.

“Breaking Silence” encourages people to talk openly about sexual assault. The producers believe that when people speak out and raise awareness of the issue, it is more difficult for perpetrators to perpetrate and easier for survivors to find the health and healing they need and deserve.

LFRC Rape Crisis Center offers free services including 24/7 Community Crisis Line (1-888-485-7733) that connects callers with trained sexual assault advocates.

The Rape Crisis Center also provides individual counseling, support, safety plans, education, hospital accompaniment and law enforcement advocacy for all victims of sexual assault and their significant others.

Middletown Art Center is located at 21456 State Highway 175 in Middletown at the junction of Highway 29. The gallery will be open Thursday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Friday, 1 to 8:30 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Monday, noon to 4 p.m.

Call 707-809-8118 or visit www.middletownartcenter.org to learn more.