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Mock Rape Trial Designed to Raise Awareness

Macomb, IL – The Western Illinois Regional Council will try something new as it attempts to make more people aware of the problem of sexual assault. The WIRC will hold a mock rape trial on April 11 at the McDonough County Courthouse. It will begin at 7:00pm. The information used during the mock trial will come from an actual trial in Pennsylvania. WIRC Victim Services Director Diane Mayfield says the mock rape trial will be open to the public. It will also be interactive because members of the audience will be chosen to serve as jurors. A retired judge will serve as the judge and a retired state's attorney will act as the defense attorney. Mayfield says only one out of every ten sexual assaults is reported and only about one-tenth of those end up going through the court system. She says victims often say it's difficult to get others to believe them. News Director Rich Egger talked to Mayfield about the mock rape trial and her efforts to raise awareness about the problem of sexual assault. You can listen to that conversation by clicking on the audio button.