Xquisite event pops up awareness

October is domestic violence awareness month and an ‘Xquisite’ event covering sex trafficking, domestic violence and sexual assault is popping up at the Millennium Medical Spa on Sunday.

Xquisite is a nonprofit that provides information, resources, help and support to victims of sex trafficking, sexual assault, and domestic violence, while bringing awareness of the subjects to the community.

“It’s not anything to be afraid of, but to be aware of and we are that resource,” said Xquisite Founder Brenda Sandquist.

Sandquist established the organization in 2012 after an encounter with victims working in brothels. She said many of the women in the brothels admitted unhappy experiences. She began talking to the women, bringing them gifts and support with no strings attached and providing them with hope and empowerment.

“It seemed like such a distant subject and the brothel experience made it closer to home and I knew we could do more for the victims,” said Sandquist.

Sandquist said in recent years, domestic violence has seemed to increase and where there is one, there is mostly likely sexual assault and sex trafficking, too.

“We want to get the community involved,” she said, “the sheriff’s departments, the schools and focus on rural areas where resources might not be available or accessible.”

Sandquist said the event is open to the public with music and karaoke provided by Robert Miller Entertainment, pizza donated by Slice of Heaven and raffles tickets and prizes.

“It is my passion that people become aware,” said Sandquist. If people are aware of what’s out there whether it’s you, a neighbor or in your community or not; together it can be prevented or stopped.”

The pop-up awareness event hosted by the Gardnerville-Minden Networking Group will be 1-4 p.m., Sunday at the Millennium Medical Spa, 1520 Main St., Gardnerville. For information, visit www.xquisite.org.