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Polk County proclaims April 2025 Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Crime Victims Rights Week
Summary
Polk County proclaimed April 2025 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month and the week as Crime Victims Rights Week; Ruth Thompson of Polk County Crisis and Advocacy Services and Megan Peek, a victim liaison, described local services and outreach.
The Polk County Board of Supervisors read proclamations recognizing April 2025 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month and designating a week as Crime Victims Rights Week.
Ruth Thompson of Polk County Crisis and Advocacy Services told the board the department provides 24/7 free and confidential advocacy for survivors and partners with local colleges and law enforcement for training and prevention work. "I hope that you never need us, but if you do, we'll be there for you," Thompson said, outlining services that include victim advocacy, court accompaniment, crisis response and culturally specific partnerships.
Megan Peek, a victim liaison with the Polk County Attorney's Office, described liaison responsibilities including case notifications, victim impact statements, restitution, and coordination with advocacy partners and emphasized how liaisons help survivors navigate the criminal justice process.
Supervisors and staff posed for a group photo with the advocates after the proclamations. The board thanked the agencies and acknowledged the volume of victims served locally in 2024, per the proclamations' text.
