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Goodhue County proclaims April 2026 Sexual Assault Awareness and Child Abuse Prevention Month
Summary
The Goodhue County Board adopted a proclamation designating April 2026 as Sexual Assault Awareness and Child Abuse Prevention Month, citing local reporting patterns and new 24/7 forensic exam access at a local advocacy partner.
The Goodhue County Board voted to adopt a proclamation designating April 2026 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Child Abuse Prevention Month for Goodhue County.
County Attorney Erin told commissioners the county is not immune to the national and statewide patterns of harm and urged support for survivors. "1 in 3 girls, 1 in 5 boys," Erin said, summarizing statistics included with the proclamation and noting the lifelong physical, mental and emotional impacts of sexual violence and child abuse.
A representative from Hope Coalition described local services and a new forensic exam room that allows advocacy and medical care close to home. "We connect them with a nurse and an advocate, and we try to have a less than 90 minute response time if someone needs an exam," the Hope Coalition representative said, adding the coalition provides crisis hotline support and aftercare that can include help with restraining orders and long-term advocacy.
Erin and the Hope Coalition representative emphasized that forensic exams make evidence collection more concrete and can strengthen investigations. "A sexual assault exam actually takes it out of that kind of conversation into more of a specific conversation about what the evidence says," Erin said, describing the medical-forensic exam process and the role of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension in testing evidence.
Commissioner Anderson moved to adopt the proclamation; the motion was seconded and the board approved it unanimously on voice vote.
The proclamation asks the community and employers to support survivors and raises awareness about prevention and culturally responsive services; board members thanked the presenters and noted the value of local resources that reduce the need to travel for medical-forensic care.
Next steps: The proclamation will stand as the board's formal recognition that April 2026 is Sexual Assault Awareness and Child Abuse Prevention Month in Goodhue County, and presenters said they will continue outreach and partnership with county services.
