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Sykesville proclaims April Sexual Assault Awareness Month; Care Healing Center outlines services
Summary
Sykesville’s council unanimously adopted a proclamation recognizing April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month; Stephanie Powers of the Care Healing Center described free services including a 24-hour helpline, counseling starting at age five, and a countywide awareness campaign.
Sykesville — The mayor and town council on March 23 adopted a proclamation recognizing April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month and welcomed representatives from the Care Healing Center, which the executive director described as the county’s long-standing provider of crisis services.
Stephanie Powers, introduced by the mayor as executive director of the Care Healing Center (formerly the Rape Crisis Intervention Service of Carroll County), told the council the agency has provided services in the county since 1978 and changed its name in 2023 to reflect a broader set of offerings. She said the center operates a 24-hour helpline and provides free crisis services, medical and legal accompaniment, and counseling beginning at age five.
Powers gave local statistics included in the proclamation: the transcript records 66 rapes reported to the national incident-based reporting system in Carroll County from January 2023 through January 2026, and the Care Healing Center provided services to 611 survivors during the same period. She said community outreach plans include a “paint the town teal” awareness campaign on Main Street and partner businesses to raise visibility for survivors.
The council adopted the proclamation by unanimous voice vote.
What was said: “All of our services are completely free of charge,” Powers said, adding that the agency aims to make services accessible whether abuse occurred recently or decades earlier. The mayor thanked the agency and invited the council and community to the April 24 Arbor Day planting and other April awareness activities organized with local partners.
Next actions: The proclamation is part of outreach and event planning for April; the Care Healing Center and town will publicize specific awareness events and resources.
