Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Victim Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Des Moines County proclaims April 2025 Sexual Assault Awareness Month; local advocates report services provided
Summary
The Board of Supervisors adopted a proclamation declaring April 2025 Sexual Assault Awareness Month. A Des Moines County advocate reported that, since an October service consolidation, advocates served 58 clients across eight counties and provided 607 services.
The Des Moines County Board of Supervisors proclaimed April 2025 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month and urged community support for survivors.
The proclamation, read by a county official, cited the long-term physical and psychological harms of sexual and domestic violence, noted the prevalence of such crimes and recognized local service providers. The board moved and approved the proclamation by voice vote: recorded 'yes' votes were Tom Broker, Shane McCampbell and Jim Carey.
Rachel Long, identified at the meeting as a sexual assault advocate for Des Moines and Henry counties, described services provided since October 1 following a consolidation of DVIP and RVAP. Long said the consolidated service model has served 58 clients across eight counties, including 47 new clients, and delivered 607 services. She described advocates’ work from medical care through court hearings and in some cases ongoing support for years.
Long also announced a survivors’ event scheduled for April 16 at Burlington High School from 3:00 to 6:30 p.m. Board members thanked the advocates and approved the proclamation by unanimous voice vote.
