Council highlights survivor conference and women’s initiatives; urges more city resources for sexual assault services
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Summary
Council members presented a certificate to the Rainbow Sisters Project and promoted a free downtown library conference for sexual-assault survivors. Survivors urged the city to increase prevention and crisis-intervention resources; the Commission on the Status of Women’s resolution to declare Take Our Daughters to Work Day was also presented.
Los Angeles — Councilmembers on April 16 recognized a series of women‑focused initiatives, presented proclamations and heard powerful survivor testimony urging greater city action on sexual‑assault prevention and crisis services.
Councilmember Goldberg introduced the Rainbow Sisters Project and announced a free conference at the Central Library scheduled for 11 a.m.–4 p.m., open to survivors with childcare, lunch and language access. “This is a multicultural group of survivors and their friends working to educate the public,” Goldberg said, and the council presented a resolution recognizing the project’s work.
Survivor testimony: Several survivors spoke in the chamber and on videotape. One survivor said, “I am a survivor. I am not a victim,” and urged immediate action: “Something needs to be done, and it needs to be done now.” Another speaker recounted being kidnapped and raped and called on the council to allocate resources to prevention, crisis intervention and coordinated services; she cited reported rape counts and said many assaults go unreported.
Commission action: Councilmember Sekowsky presented a resolution declaring April 22 “Take Our Daughters to Work Day” and thanked the Los Angeles Commission on the Status of Women for its role; Paula Petrada (executive director) accepted the recognition and framed the day as a mentoring and empowerment effort for girls.
Why it matters: Speakers emphasized unmet needs for coordinated services, crisis centers and prevention programs, and urged the council to consider funding and citywide coordination. Organizers noted the event is free and includes translation and interpretation services to encourage broad participation.
Next steps: Council members and presenters asked members to consider both short‑term resource allocations for crisis services and longer‑term prevention strategies; no explicit budget vote or staff directive was recorded at the meeting.
