Ron Welch
Muskingum County Prosecutor
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Muskingum County Prosecutor’s Office Participates in “Speak Up: No More Secrets” Event for Sexual Assault Awareness
(ZANESVILLE, OH)
In recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Muskingum County Prosecutor Ron Welch participated in the “Speak Up: No More Secrets” domestic violence coalition event, reinforcing its ongoing commitment to victim advocacy, education, and prevention.
The event brought together community members, advocates, and local organizations to raise awareness about sexual assault, support survivors, and encourage open, honest conversations about a topic that is most often times avoided.
Prosecutor Welch, Local Victim Advocate Dorothy Thomas, Detective Randy Wilson, and a survivor of sexual assault, spoke on the realities of sexual assault cases, the importance of reporting, and the role of the justice system in holding offenders accountable.
Prosecutor Welch emphasized the need for continued education as a foundation for creating better outcomes for survivors. “Many people expect victims to behave in a certain way after being sexually assaulted; however, research has shown there is no “normal response” to being sexually assaulted. Some victims report right away, others may never report. Some victims’ lives fall apart while other victims do everything they can to maintain normalcy. Some victims never interact with their attacker while others may be forced to pretend nothing has ever happened. The only way to change what people think they know is to continue to educate them. The best people for educating others are victims, victim advocates, law enforcement, and prosecutors who have the knowledge to talk about the subject of sexual abuse based on experience.”
If you or someone you know has been impacted by sexual violence, resources are available. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our office or our local advocacy center and shelter, Transitions.
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