Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger at a courthouse press conference Tuesday proclaimed April Sexual Assault Awareness month. Mayor Coppinger made the proclamation to bring attention to the serious nature of the issue in Hamilton County, where 499 cases of sexual assault have been reported over the last 12 months. “This crime affects all generations: daughters, wives, mothers, grandmothers, relatives, and, in some cases, men,” he said.
The mayor cited additional statistics to add weight to the urgency of creating public awareness regarding sexual abuse: A sexual assault happens at least once every two minutes; one in six women are victims of sexual assault; one of four college age women are sexual assault victims; and sexual assault victims are four times more likely to contemplate suicide.
“This is why the Partnership for Families, Children and Adults’ Assault Prevention Campaign is important. We need to shine a spotlight on the ramifications of sexual assault, because 499 reported sexual assaults here in Hamilton County are shameful. We as a society should be better, and must be better,” he said.
The Partnership’s Regina McDevitt said she’s grateful for Mayor Coppinger’s willingness to bring attention to this matter. “Sexualized violence is epidemic. We see this firsthand every day, and we’re committed to stopping this brutality through education and action.”
Mayor Coppinger also encouraged attendees and the public to join the Partnership in Coolidge Park on Saturday, April 27 for an awareness campaign titled “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes.” The event asks men to walk a mile in women’s shoes for the benefit of the Partnership’s Rape Crisis Center.
For information about “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes,” contact Karen Murphy at 697-3830.