Five years ago, when 16 assaults were committed in less than a year against young Novato females, the Novato Police Department developed a sexual assault awareness program to educate young girls within the community. Developed by four female Novato police officers, the program provided frank information on the facts of sexual assault for young teen girls and their parents, while empowering the young participants with easily mastered self-defense techniques.

The 1996 assaults were a wake-up call for the community. Seven of the 16 assaults occurred in open space or park settings. Eight occurred in residences, and one in a vehicle, said Novato Police Cpl. Jennifer Tejeda. Most of the incidents involved the use of alcohol and drugs. In many cases, the victims were young girls of only 14. Often, the victim was assaulted by several young males. Most victims typically knew their assailants, and had no idea of the danger they had placed themselves in or the means of defending themselves once the assaults began.

In a report to the department, Tejeda acknowledged that not all young males in Novato are sexual predators, but cautioned that, "in many cases when an opportunity arose to have sexual intercourse with an intoxicated victim who was unable to say no, the young males, through peer pressure, found themselves in behavior that was both morally and criminally wrong."

The young victim often finds herself victimized again after the assault, because she is intimidated, labeled and alienated by her peers - the exact opposite of what happens with the male predator and his peers, Tejeda says. This cycle lead to fewer victims reporting rape or seeking emotional counseling after the assault.

The "Youth Awareness Forum" works to break the cycle of violence and victimization by providing educational awareness for young girls and their parents, as well as self-defense techniques for the girls. With broad-based community support, the program has evolved from "Girls' Forum," in 1997 to the "Youth Awareness Forum," held last Saturday at the Novato Police Station.

Lisa Rovetch's daughter Kia turned 13 on the day of the workshop. As a birthday gift, Lisa signed her daughter up for the assault workshop. Kia attended the workshop with her friend Kaylie. The two girls are enrolled in the "Peer Education" program at Hill Middle School.

"I want Kia to be a confident, capable, assertive young woman," said Rovetch. "It seemed like a great opportunity to come with Kaylie and possibly pass this on to their Peer Education class."

Lisa's daughter, initially less than enthusiastic about the "gift" before the workshop began, had nothing but praise for the program.

"I think it's really neat that these people are so dedicated to helping girls be able to defend themselves in a situation if sexual assault," Kia said. "I have more knowledge about the different kinds of rape and date rape drugs that are out there. It kind of contradicted all the stuff you see in the movies."

Annie Hartie wanted her daughter Kayle to become more aware of what types of situations she might encounter in the real world.

"I thought it would be a good thing for her to know and understand," Hartje said. "Mostly, so that she was aware - so much is dealt with vulnerability - if you know how to handle yourself in certain situations, they just never happen."

Kaylie thought the course was beneficial.

"I would recommend it to everyone, especially small girls who aren't really that full of themselves - girls who aren't really aggressive or self-confident," Kaylie said. "Because then they can know that they can defend themselves and feel safer because they would know what to do in case of an emergency - if someone tried to assault them."

Novato Police Capt. Reginald Lyles has been a strong supporter of the program and recognizes the important role educationplays in breaking the cycle of violence. He also says that many communities are in denial of the problem because sexual assault is a difficult subject.

"This is a societal issue," Lyles said. "And Novato doesn't escape having those issues."

Earlier this month, a case of a 14-year-old female being raped by a group of boys was reported to the Novato police. The case is currently under investigation.

According to figures provided by Community Violence Solutions, a partner in the assault workshops, one in four girls will be sexually assaulted before her 18th birthday. One in six boys will be sexually assaulted during his youth. Novato has not been immune to the statistics.

"There have been 21 crimes reported in the category of sexual assault in the first nine months of this year, January through September - 21 sex crimes involving minors in Novato," Tejeda said.

Lyles and Tejeda see the assault workshop as one, but an important, tool in the department and community's cadre of programs to combat assault crimes.

"We know the one cure is education," said Lyles. "And empowering the victim to move from victimhood to protecting and defending themselves."

The program has continued with the leadership of Lyles, Chief Brian Brady, and the Novato City Council, Tejeda says. With continued broad-based community support by such groups as Novato Rotary, the Novato Soroptimists International, Novatan Pauline Stuber, the Wild Fox restaurant, NPD officers and others, the assault workshop will be offered for young women in the community. The department plans to hold the assault workshop next spring.

The 20 teens who attended the assault forum learned a variety of real world risk-reduction tools and self-defense techniques. Kia came away from the workshop with valuable tools to begin her teenage years.

" I know I am more able to defend myself and help my friends in a situation," she said.

Tejeda felt Kia received an invaluable gift for her 13th birthday.

"It is so appropriate as she enters her teens to have a gift like that, a gift that will last her for the rest of her life," Tejeda said. "You can't ask for better than that."