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Gig Harbor proclaims April Sexual Assault Awareness Month; Rebuilding Hope urges community support
Summary
The Gig Harbor City Council on April 13 declared April 2026 Sexual Assault Awareness Month and recognized Rebuilding Hope’s victim services across Pierce and Kitsap counties; Rebuilding Hope representatives thanked the council and urged community education and use of local resources.
Mayor Mary Barber opened the council meeting April 13 by reading a proclamation declaring April 2026 Sexual Assault Awareness Month and urging residents to seek information, education and support related to sexual assault and abuse.
The proclamation cited state and national statistics on prevalence and noted Rebuilding Hope’s more than 50 years of service as Pierce County’s designated assault center and its recent work in Kitsap County. "We know that that we are not immune," Mayor Barber said, summarizing national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention figures included in the proclamation.
Ella, a representative of Rebuilding Hope, accepted the proclamation and described the organization’s local services, saying the agency provides advocates, therapists and educators who support survivors in hospitals, courthouses and schools. "Every victim and survivor in Pierce and Kitsap Counties deserves and will receive compassionate, trauma-informed, survivor-centered support," Ella said.
A second Rebuilding Hope speaker (no name provided in the transcript) thanked the mayor and council for the proclamation, noted this was the second consecutive year the city has issued it, and highlighted prevention and support resources available to people of all ages. The representative also praised law enforcement for what she described as compassionate responses to survivors who come forward.
The council offered general support and invited Rebuilding Hope to advise on ways the city can help spread awareness and link residents to services. The proclamation does not create a new city program; instead, it recognizes the organization’s work and urges public education and resource-sharing. The council did not take separate action beyond the public recognition.
The meeting continued to other agenda items following the presentation.
