By Wyatt Boyle | KOAL News
Believing, supporting and raising awareness for sexual assault survivors, Mayor Terry Willis of Price formally recognized April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) on April 22.
“In remembering that sexual violence is a prominent and pervasive issue, we, the City of Price, understand the necessity of providing services, supporting, and believing survivors of sexual assault,” Mayor Willis said. “We, the City of Price, most importantly know that we can increase the quality and togetherness of our community by creating an environment where sexual assault is unacceptable.”
She continued, “The City of Price hereby officially recognizes April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month.”
A motion was opened to approve the proclamation by Tanner Richardson. Richard Root seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
“I am absolutely blown away by the support of you all in our community,” said advocate Shani Ori. “Walking around the town seeing businesses painted teal is more than anything I have dreamed of.”
Just because we live in a small community doesn’t mean that sexual assault doesn’t happen. Unfortunately, Utah sits above the national average in terms of crime rate.
SAAM is important to recognize and honor because this horrid crime and its survivors are everywhere. In educating our communities and validating their experiences, we battle against a cycle of abuse and support survivors who may struggle with their feelings.
“Sexual assault doesn’t discriminate,” Emma Squires, a Seekhaven satellite advocate, said in a past interview. “You can be young or old; you can be rich or poor; you can be Caucasian or a person of color; you can be a man or a woman or someone in between or none of those at all. Abuse does not care. It can happen to anyone at any time … and the survivors come from all walks of life.”
In the last 25 years, SAAM has made major strides and changed the stigma around sexual assault and its survivors.
If someone confides in you, Squires says the two most important things to say are “I believe you” and “this is not your fault.” Survivors need to know that someone is in their corner after a traumatic event. Believing survivors makes them more likely to report the crime and receive the help they need.
Showing up to “What were they wearing?” exhibits and other events, like “Chalk the Town Teal,” shows survivors that they are seen and heard.
“One of the best ways to volunteer or donate to survivors is to show up to events,” Squires said.
In Price, one such event takes place on April 28, when Castleview Hospital, in conjunction with Price City, hosts a Survivor’s Walk beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Price City Peace Garden.
If advocates are adamant about donating to sexual assault survivors, Squires recommends calling local resources and shelters to learn about survivors’ needs.
For more information on Sexual Assault Awareness Month, click here.
Watch the full meeting here: