HomeMy WebLinkAboutCertificate of Recognition - Sexual Assault Awareness Month1. April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and calls attention to the fact that sexual violence is a
widespread public health problem and impacts every person in St. Lucie County.
2. Everyday, too many women, men and children across Florida suffer the pain and trauma of sexual
assault in all of its forms.
3. These crimes occur far too frequently, go unreported far too often, and leave long lasting physical
and emotional scars.
4. During National Sexual Assault Awareness Month, we recommit ourselves to lifting the veil of
secrecy and shame surrounding sexual violence, expanding support and understanding for
survivors, and strengthening our response.
5. Sexual violence affects individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and circumstances and as a
community, we share the responsibility for protecting each other from sexual assault, supporting
survivors when it does occur, and bringing perpetrators to justice.
6. At every level, we must work to provide necessary resources to survivors of every circumstance,
without judgment and with dignity, including medical attention, mental health services, relocation
and housing assistance, and advocacy during the criminal justice process.
7. St. Lucie County communities can come together to increase awareness about sexual violence,
decrease its frequency, hold offenders accountable, support survivors, and heal lives.
8. St. Lucie County hereby recognizes April 2020 as "SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH" in St.
Lucie County, Florida. Now is the time to take action as leaders in our community to create safe
environments for all St. Lucie County citizens, including our youth and our educational institutions.
We must work together to educate members of our community about sexual violence prevention,
support survivors and speak out against harmful attitudes and actions. We join advocates and
communities across the country in playing an active role to prevent sexual violence and recognize
that each day of the year is an opportunity to create change for the future.
t
April 10, 2020
Date Cathy Towns nd, St. Lucie County Board of Commissioners