Orange County NC Website
ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: April 9, 2013 <br />Action Agenda <br />Item No. 5 -i <br />SUBJECT: Sexual Assault Awareness Month Proclamation <br />1 <br />DEPARTMENT: Board of Commissioners PUBLIC HEARING: (Y /N) No <br />ATTACHMENT (S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Proclamation Donna Baker, 245 -2130 <br />Shamecca Bryant, Executive Director, <br />Orange County Rape Crisis Center, <br />968 -4647 <br />PURPOSE: To consider a proclamation recognizing April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month <br />in Orange County. <br />BACKGROUND: The Orange County Rape Crisis Center, a non - profit, volunteer agency which <br />has been serving the community since 1974 is working with others in the community to stop <br />sexual violence and its impact through support, education and advocacy. Sexual assault is the <br />most costly crime to its victims considering factors such as medical cost, lost earnings, pain, <br />suffering and lost quality of life. The Orange County Rape Crisis Center assisted 469 survivors <br />of sexual violence and their family members, friends and loved ones during 2012. <br />The coordination of the Orange County Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) is bringing <br />together members of law enforcement, the medical community, the legal system and other <br />community advocates to improve services for survivors of sexual assault who come forward. <br />The Board of Commissioners is asked to proclaim April 2013 as "Sexual Assault Awareness <br />Month" in Orange County, to encourage all residents to speak out against sexual assault, and to <br />support their local communities' efforts to provide services to victims of these appalling crimes. <br />The Board has approved similar resolutions in prior years. <br />FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with consideration of the <br />proclamation. <br />RECOMMENDATION (S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the <br />proclamation designating April as "Sexual Assault Awareness Month" in Orange County and <br />authorize the Chair to sign. <br />