Assault Victims Offered a Place to Turn for Help

There is a desperate search in West Allis to find a man who grabbed a young girl and carried out, what police say was, an inappropriate act. It happened around 8 a.m. Friday near 61st and West Lapham Streets. Police say the girl was able to free herself from the man. Afterward, she grabbed her younger sister and ran away. Even though the girls are okay, police say this will probably leave a huge psychological impact on the girls. Now, there's a place in the City of Milwaukee for survivors of assault to turn to for help.

"To have a young person know that there are other people fighting on their behalf is what encourages me to do the work that I do," said Annika Leonard, who started her group Priceless Incite several months ago.

A survivor of sexual assault herself, she said it's what keeps her going everyday.

"Our young people are living in a sense of hopelessness and helplessness, and it's up to us as adults and as service providers to help provide hope for them," Leonard added.

Leonard joined leaders of other groups who are now a coalition with a common goal.

"To develop a coordinated intervention and a trained community response for schools, school personnel. Conduct trauma informed healing workshops with youth," said Alice Belcher, with Christian Woman Prospective Ministries, Inc.

This coalition falls under the umbrella of the Milwaukee Office of Violence Prevention, which is part of the Milwaukee Health Department.