County Mayor Mike Foster last week signed a proclamation designating April as “Sexual Assault Awareness Month” in DeKalb County.
Rachel Pugh, advocate for the Genesis House in Cookeville was present for the signing of the proclamation.
The mission of Genesis House is to help victims of domestic and sexual violence find safety in their lives and the self-sufficiency and healing needed to become independent of abuse. It is also the mission to keep the community enlightened in the dynamics of domestic and sexual abuse and its prevention by providing comprehensive educational programs.
Genesis House is a private, non-profit agency that is dedicated to empowering victims of domestic and sexual violence by providing a pathway to a safe and self-sufficient life.
Services include a 24 hour crisis line, crisis intervention, court advocacy, domestic and sexual violence and self-esteem support groups, individual counseling, and referrals to other community agencies for housing, employment, and other needed services.
The 24 hour crisis line is 1-800-707-5197
The proclamation is as follows:
“Whereas, sexual assault affects every person of DeKalb County as a victim survivor or as a family member, significant other, neighbor, or co-worker of a survivor; and
Whereas, many citizens of DeKalb County are working to provide quality services and assistance to sexual assault survivors; and dedicated volunteer help staff 24 hour hotlines, respond to emergency calls and offer support, comfort, and advocacy during medical exams, criminal proceedings, and throughout the healing process; and
Whereas, DeKalb County staff and volunteers of sexual assault programs are promoting prevention education by offering training to schools, churches, and civic organizations, as well as medical, and mental health, law enforcement, education, and criminal justice personnel regarding sexual assault issues; and
Whereas, it is vitally important that continued education efforts to provide information about prevention and services for sexual assault be supported and enhanced; and
Whereas, it is critical to intensify public awareness of sexual assault, to educate people about the need for citizen involvement in efforts to reduce sexual violence, to increase support for agencies providing sexual assault services, and to increase awareness of the healing power of creative expressions; and
Whereas, Genesis House requests public support and assistance as it continues to work toward a society where all women, children, and men can live in peace, free from sexual violence and exploitation;
Now therefore, I, Mike Foster, County Mayor of DeKalb County do hereby proclaim the month of April, 2012 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in DeKalb County”.
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