Mount Gilead Mayor Donna Carver holds the proclamation recognizing April as Child Abuse Prevention and Sexual Assault Awareness Month. She is joined by Jackie Lipnos (left) and Marissa Watford (right).
Alberta Stojkovic | Aim Media Midwest
Mayor Donna Carver issued a proclamation naming April Child Abuse Prevention and Sexual Assault Awareness Month at the April 3 Mount Gilead Council meeting.
At their March 29 meeting, Morrow County Commissioners issued a proclamation for April as Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Commissioners noted there were 239 reports of abuse, neglect, and maltreatment investigated in Morrow County affecting 506 children.
They asked all citizens to be more aware of negative effects of child abuse on the community.
HelpLine staff who spoke about problems of child abuse and sexual assault at the council meeting were Jackie Lipnos, Youth Empowerment coordinator and Marissa Watford, Sexual Assault Response Network (SARN) Outreachcoordinator for Delaware, Morrow and Union Counties.
Watford said there were 5,247 SARN emergency on-call hours provided by volunteers and 193 individuals who were helped through SARN. The 24-hour rape crisis hotline served 42 survivors, while 20 SARN volunteers provided support to survivors.
The proclamation states Child Abuse Prevention and Sexual Assault Awareness Month are intended to draw attention to the fact that both child abuse and sexual assault are widespread and have public health implications for every community member.
Bullying is a significant problem for youth in our community and adults need to stand up for children in our lives who may experience a range of abuse, bullying and violence.
Staff and volunteers of child abuse and anti-violence programs in Mount Gilead encourage every person to speak out when witnessing acts of abuse and violence however small against any group of people.
Watford said April 14 is designated as the Day of Silence, a day on which students take a vow to remain silent and participate in various activities in order to bring attention to the harassment and bullying faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning people in schools.
The proclamation concluded, with leadership, dedication and encouragement, there is compelling evidence we can be successful in reducing child abuse, bullying and sexual violence through prevention education, increased awareness and holding those who commit these acts responsible for their actions.
In their proclamation, Commissioners said child abuse prevention programs succeed because of partnerships among social service agencies, schools, religious and civic organizations, law enforcement and the business community.
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