TITLE
Title
PROCLAMATION DECLARING APRIL 2017 AS SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS AND CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH
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SPONSOR
Sponsor
Commissioner Kay Cashion
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PROCLAMATION
Proclamation
WHEREAS, incidents of sexual violence and child abuse are widespread and impact every community member of Guilford County; and
WHEREAS, sexual violence and child abuse are a public responsibility affecting both the current and future quality of life of Guilford County; and
WHEREAS, nationally, 1 in 5 women and 1 and 33 men will be victims of rape, or attempted rape, at some point in their lives; and
WHEREAS, child sexual abuse prevention must be a priority to confront the reality that 1 in 10 children will experience child sexual abuse before age 18; and
WHEREAS, the Guilford County Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) and the Guilford County Family Justice Center work with community partners specializing in providing crisis response, advocacy and support to child and adult victims of abuse and sexual violence, local law enforcement, Family Service of the Piedmont, Kellin Foundation's Child Response Initiative, Children's Law Center of Central North Carolina, District Attorney's Office and Cone Health's Sexual Assault Forensic Nursing Program; and
WHEREAS, many organizations provide critical support to children and families, and local statistics for 2016 include over 5,100 reports to DHHS - Division of Social Services for suspected child abuse and neglect, involving 12,500 children, 500 forensic interviews of children suspected of having been sexually or physically abused and over 360 sexual assault exams initiated at Cone Health; and
WHEREAS, effective sexual assault and child abuse prevention strategies succeed because of partnerships created amongst citizens, human service agencies, schools, faith communities, health care providers, civic organizations, law enforcement agencies and the business community; and
WHEREAS, in 2017 Guilford County will launch Camp HOPE, a partnership program of the Family Justice Center designed to break the generational cycle of violence and abuse, and to provide Guilford County children pathways for hope and healing; and
WHEREAS, with leadership, dedication and encouragement, there is evidence that we can be successful in preventing sexual violence and child abuse in Guilford County through increased education, awareness and community involvement; and
WHEREAS, the Guilford County Board of Commissioners supports the efforts of national, state and local partners, and every citizen to actively engage in public and private efforts to prevent both child abuse and sexual violence. Guilford County is committed to starting conversations, taking appropriate action and supporting one another to create a safe, stable and nurturing community for all.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Guilford County Board of Commissioners join advocates and communities across the country in playing an active role to prevent child abuse and sexual violence, and hereby proclaim April 2017 as SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH and CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH.
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