Kristin Smart case brings new attention to sexual assaults during Sexual Assault Awareness Month
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. – The arrest of Paul Flores in connection to the 1996 disappearance of Kristin Smart is bringing new attention to sexual assaults during Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow said Wednesday that Flores was charged with killing Smart during the commission of rape or during an attempted rape. Although the statute of limitations for rape has expired, Dow said the rape is the basis for filing felony murder charges.
The district attorney also said there was evidence more people may have been sexually assaulted by Paul Flores, particularly in Southern California.
Anyone with information about additional crimes is urged to contact the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office at 805-781-4550 or San Luis Obispo County Crime Stoppers at 805-549-7867.
Flores appeared in court Thursday morning but has not entered a plea yet.
The new revelations come during Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Organizations are using April to bring awareness to the resources available to the community.
RISE, which stands for Respect, Inspire, Support, Empower, is a non-profit organization that helps survivors of sexual assault, intimate partner violence, domestic violence and more.
"It [Sexual Assault Awareness Month] is just a month where we are raising awareness in our community about sexual assault and actually trying to get more conversation and dialogue around sexual assault," said RISE Director of Development and Marketing Stacy Salame. "It is something that does't get talked about as much as it should and that culture of silence could lead survivors of sexual assault to believe they're alone when they are far from alone."
According to Salame, someone is sexually assaulted every 73 seconds in the United States, but the true number is likely even higher. "We know this is highly under reported," said Salame.
If you or someone you know is seeking help, you can visit the RISE website by clicking here, or calling the 24-hour hotline at (855) 886-RISE (7473).
If you are a student at Cal Poly, you can reach out to SAFER, the university's confidential resource center at (805) 756-2282 or by clicking here.
