OSBURN - Marcy Hayman wants Silver Valley residents to protect themselves, and each other.

"We can help be the eyes and ears of this community if we're not afraid," she said Thursday.

About 50 Silver Valley residents concerned over recent reports of sexual assault in Wallace and Osburn turned out at the VFW Hall in Osburn. Some came in search for answers to ease their fears.

Hayman, of Osburn, spearheaded the meeting, kicking it off by familiarizing attendees with the many informational pamphlets offered regarding personal safety and the safety of the family.

"It wasn't in my neighborhood until a week ago," Hayman said as the meeting came to a close. "It could happen easily in anyone's backyard."

Hayman said she is teaching her young daughter to be a smarter individual, not a frightened individual, and hoped the meeting would do the same for the residents who attended.

Shoshone County Sheriff Mitch Alexander, Undersheriff Rod Plank and Captain Jeremy Groves were seated with a panel of local professionals to do what they could to answer community questions.

Plank said that there have been nine sexual assault cases in these first eight months of the year, and only three remain unresolved. The six resolved cases have not all resulted in arrests, and he cited not enough evidence for prosecution as one of the possible reasons.

"It's not out of the ordinary," Plank said of the number of sexual assault cases this year. What is unusual is the number of unresolved cases.

Kellie Lavigne, executive director of the Shoshone County Women's Resource Center, was present as well alongside Shoshone County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Keisha Oxendine to answer questions outside the realm of law enforcement.

"At this point, one arrest has been made and other cases are under investigation," Oxendine said.

Of the nine cases this year, only one case involves a stranger. Lavigne said 90 percent of sexual assault cases involve acquaintances.

Alexander said if his office had unlimited funds they would be able to do more.

"I don't want anybody to put their guard down," he said.