Todd County proclaims National Crime Victims' Rights Week and Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Todd County commissioners unanimously proclaimed the week of April 6 through April 12, 2025, as Crime Victims' Rights Week and April 2025 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month at their April 1 meeting.

Representatives from Hands of Hope Resource Center presented the two proclamations. The first proclamation noted that victims face barriers such as isolation, language limits and transportation that can prevent access to services, and it referenced victims'-rights laws at both the state and federal levels as part of the justification for the board's action. The board approved the proclamation by voice vote.

Hands of Hope also presented a proclamation declaring April 2025 Sexual Assault Awareness Month, noting the theme "Together We Act, United We Change," and urging community action on prevention, consent education and survivor-centered services. The board approved the proclamation and commissioners thanked the presenters for their work.

Hands of Hope staff later announced the agency's fourth annual Denim Day raffle on April 30; raffle proceeds will support victim services not always covered by grants. Tickets are $20; the agency said it will sell up to 500 tickets.

Why it matters: Proclamations do not create law but signal the board's public support for increased services and awareness and reinforce the role of local victim-service providers in county response.

Ending: Commissioners encouraged community support and accepted the two proclamations as presented.