LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport City Council on Tuesday night presented two proclamations to bring attention to sexual assault and child abuse issues.
The main item of business on the council’s short agenda was the presentation of the proclamations designating April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Child Abuse Prevention Month. The Board of Supervisors had offered similar proclamations on Tuesday morning.
Mayor Stacey Mattina read and presented the two proclamations to the staff of Lake Family Resource Center, which has a Rape Crisis Center, hotline services and initiatives to prevent child abuse.
The proclamation on Sexual Assault Awareness Month stated that in 2016 Lake County agencies responded to the needs of at least 248 sexual assault victims, their significant others and/or family members, and emphasized the importance of organizations, agencies and the community in eliminating sexual assault.
The document also explained that one in six boys and one in four girls will experience a sexual assault before the age 18.
Lake Family Resource Center Executive Director Jennifer Dodd thanked the council, and said organizations working together is key to responding to sexual assault in the community.
The proclamation for Child Abuse Prevention Month said approximately three million children are reported abused and neglected in the United States each year, and “child abuse prevention is a community problem and finding solutions depends on the involvement of people throughout the community.”
Jami White from Lake Family Resource Center’s Early Head Start team thanked the council for approving the organization’s application for its Children’s Festival and Advocacy Walk on April 22.
This year, in addition to their paper doll project, White said they also will hold the pinwheel garden challenge, which asks people to place blue pinwheels in yards and gardens to bring attention to child abuse prevention month.
In honor of the event, blue pinwheels were handed out to council members.
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Lakeport City Council presents proclamations for sexual assault awareness, child abuse prevention
- Elizabeth Larson
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