While four days of music and partying is underway at Country Thunder in Kenosha County, a group of forensic nurses from Aurora Healthcare is on a mission.
They’re asking festival goers to sign a petition, pledging to help potential sexual assault victims and being proactive about becoming victims themselves.
“Like going to the bathroom in twos and if you see somebody who’s intoxicated get them to the med tent,” said Rebecca Rodriguez, Forensic Nursing Supervisor at Aurora Healthcare.
They’re handing out glow in the dark bracelets to remind music lovers about their promise.
“In 2015 we had 10 victims of sexual assault in a four-day span and that was only at Aurora Healthcare in Kenosha,” said Rodriguez.
In 2016, Rodriguez brought the “It’s On Us” campaign to the festival. That year there weren’t any sexual assaults reported. The Sheriff’s Department says there was one in 2017.
“I didn’t want to prepare for more victims. I wanted to prepare to have less of them,” said Rodriguez.
The nurses are going further his year by posting fliers outside the gates and reaching music fans by walking through the campgrounds.
“I think it’s important for all women to be safe," said Joe Haderline, Chicago. "I have sister, my mother, a niece yah know so obviously yah know I wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to them."
“I think it’s awesome because as a young girl I feel like it makes me feel safer,” said Versailles Garcia, South Dakota.
The Aurora nurses will be at Country Thunder every day from 2pm-10pm.
