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Saline County proclaims April Sexual Assault Awareness Month; DVAC outlines events and 24/7 services
Summary
The Board of Commissioners proclaimed April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month after a presentation from the Domestic Violence Association of Central Kansas (DVAC). DVAC described local incident and arrest statistics for Saline County, offered hotline information and listed community events planned for the month.
The Saline County Board of Commissioners on April 1 unanimously proclaimed April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month following a presentation from Mary Cookson, a victim advocate with the Domestic Violence Association of Central Kansas (DVAC).
Mary Cookson told the commission that April is nationally designated to educate the public, honor survivors and raise awareness of sexual violence. Cookson said DVAC provides free, confidential services 24 hours a day to victims in Saline County and listed the local hotline, (785) 827-5862, for immediate assistance. She described DVAC's planned local events including a teal-day kickoff, a candlelight vigil on April 7 at Kansas Wesleyan University, a "night of action" silent disco on April 11 at Kansas Wesleyan, Denim Day on April 30 and a crafternoon at the Kansas Wesleyan Library on April 29.
In her presentation Cookson cited statewide and local statistics included in the draft proclamation: an incidence rate cited for Kansas (one reported incident to law enforcement every 7 hours, 51 minutes and 23 seconds in the figures she read) and 304 incidents reported in Saline County in 2023; the draft's figures said only one arrest was recorded for those county incidents, representing about 2.9 percent of reported cases. Cookson and the proclamation text highlighted barriers victims face, including fear, stigma and gaps in resources.
A commissioner moved and another seconded the proclamation; the board voted by voice and the motion carried. The adopted proclamation asks the community to support survivors and publicizes DVAC services and events for April.
Cookson requested community participation in DVAC events and said advocates were circulating a pledge to "believe survivors when they come forward," a step the organization uses to encourage supportive responses in the community.
No additional funding or county program changes were presented with the proclamation; it is a formal recognition and awareness action by the board.
