Cumberland County Mayor Allen Foster and Crossville Mayor James Mayberry proclaimed April as “Sexual Assault Awareness Month.”

The proclamation states as follows:

WHEREAS, Sexual Assault Awareness Month is intended to draw attention to the fact that sexual violence is widespread and has public health implications for every citizen of this country as well as of Cumberland County; and

WHEREAS, sexual assault, sexual harassment, and rape impact our community—statistics indicate that one in five women will have experienced sexual assault by the time they complete college or are of college age; and

WHEREAS, together, we must work to educate our communities about the things that can be done to prevent sexual assault as well as methods to best support survivors; and

WHEREAS, staff and volunteers of anti-violence programs at the Avalon Center in Cumberland County encourage every person to speak out when witnessing acts of violence however big or small; and

WHEREAS, with leadership, dedication, and encouragement, there is compelling evidence that we can be successful in reducing sexual violence in Cumberland County through prevention education, increased awareness, and holding perpetrators who commit acts of violence responsible for their actions; and

WHEREAS, Cumberland County strongly supports the efforts of national, state, and local partners, and of every citizen to actively engage in public and private efforts, including conversations about what sexual violence is, how to prevent it, how to help survivors connect with services, and how every segment of our society can work together to better address sexual violence.

Both mayors call upon citizens to join anti-sexual assault advocates and support service programs in the belief that all community members must be part of the solution to end sexual violence.