Pierce County proclaims April Sexual Assault Awareness Month; Rebuilding Hope leaders call for prevention and survivor support

Pierce County leaders on April 1 proclaimed April 2025 Sexual Assault Awareness Month and honored Rebuilding Hope Sexual Assault Center for 50 years of service.

The proclamation, read into the record by Chair Hitchen, cites the long history of advocacy to break silence about sexual violence and notes federal and state recognition of April as a month for awareness and prevention. Carlyn Sampson, executive director of Rebuilding Hope, accepted the proclamation and described the center’s work supporting survivors across the county.

Why it matters: The council said the proclamation underscores ongoing community need for prevention, survivor supports and public education. Sampson said the center responds to survivors of all ages and identities and partners with other local providers to offer confidential advocacy, case management and prevention programming.

Sampson told the council Rebuilding Hope has provided thousands of hours of crisis support over its 50-year history and serves survivors of many forms of sexual and domestic violence, including child abuse, campus sexual assault and trafficking. “There’s just no way that sexual assault and its devastating effects on survivors and their loved ones are not rippling through our community every day,” Sampson said.

Council members voiced support for both survivor services and prevention. Council member Ayala urged community intervention at early points to change behaviors and prevent escalation. Vice Chair Herrera and Council member Murrell spoke of the long history of advocacy and the cultural barriers that can keep survivors from seeking help. Council member Gruber thanked Rebuilding Hope and its volunteers for supporting survivors and noted the center’s role in identifying grooming and early-warning signs.

The proclamation recognized state and national milestones in awareness work and quoted statistics included in the proclamation text about the prevalence of sexual violence nationally. The council and executive encouraged community members to learn how to connect survivors with services and to support prevention efforts.

The presentation concluded with remarks of appreciation and a photo with council leadership.

Ending: Rebuilding Hope urged residents to learn about local services and events the organization will host during April and to connect people in need to support and resources.