Photos by Mary Alice Murphy
SASS Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April 2014 kickoff
SASS Sexual Assault Awareness Month kickoff
Representatives from area law enforcment offices participated in an event "We Stand with Survivors" to kick off April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
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SASS Sexual Assault Awareness Month kickoff
Sheriff Raul Villanueva makes sure the green ribbon is tied securely to a patrol car.
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SASS Sexual Assault Awareness Month kickoff
Law enforcement personnel and Sexual Assault Support Services staff will participate in the month of bringing awareness to the major public health issue. From left are Bayard Police Deaprtment Chief Lonnie Sandoval; Silver City PD Chief Ed Reynolds; SASS Advocacy and Crisis Coordinator Stephanie Gonzales; intern Ollie Hoelscher holding one side of the sign;SASS board chairwoman and Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Stormie Fla; SASS executive director Catherine Olmstead holding the other side of the sign; SASS outrach and education coordinator Susan Bradley (partially hidden); Willie Kerin of the Bayard PD; Sheriff Raul Villanueva; and Waldo Winborn of the Western New Mexico University campus police.
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Silver City Police Department, Grant County Sheriff's Office, Bayard PD, Santa Clara PD, WNMU Campus Police, attended the "We Stand with Survivors" Tuesday morning. Hurley PD was unable to attend but will be participating in the spotlight on the sexual assault awareness campaign throughout the month, even though they weren't present at the kickoff. The officers will sport green ribbons on their uniforms and their vehicles.
The month of April has been designated Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) in the United States. The goal of SAAM is to raise public awareness about sexual violence and to educate communities and individuals on how to prevent sexual violence. Tuesday, April 1, 2014 was designated the SAAM Day of Action. This is nationally recognized in the United States as a specific day to focus awareness on sexual violence prevention and awareness.
The national and local Sexual Assault Awareness campaign during the month of April affords the local Silver City Regional Sexual Assault Support Services the chance to highlight sexual violence as a major public health, human rights and social justice issue and reinforce the need for prevention efforts. Local law enforcement personnel are participating in this ribbon campaign commitment to ending sexual violence in our community, in partnership with SASS. The hope is to deliver the message to citizens that sexual violence will not be tolerated in our area and that local law enforcement will do everything for and support those who have experienced sexual assault.
Cheif Ed Reynolds said the group was getting the word out to make people feel comfortable "that we support SASS 100 percent. We have some of our officers certified as interviewers."