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Van Buren County proclaims April as Child Abuse Prevention Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Summary
Presenters from CPPC/Decat and the Domestic Violence Intervention Program asked the board to declare April 2025 for awareness; the board unanimously approved both proclamations and entered proclamation text and cited statistics into the minutes.
KEOSAUQUA, Iowa — The Van Buren County Board of Supervisors on March 24, 2025 unanimously approved two proclamations designating April 2025 as Child Abuse Prevention Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month in the county.
Tammy Wetjen-Kesterson, CPPC and Decat Area Director, provided an update on programs the board financially supports and requested the declaration of April as Child Abuse Prevention Month. The board approved signing the proclamation, which calls for community action to promote protective factors that reduce child-abuse risk and urges citizens to improve the quality of life for children and families.
Alta Medea-Peters, representing the Domestic Violence Intervention Program (DVIP) and the Rape Victims Advocate Program (RVAP), updated the board on DVIP/RVAP activities and requested a proclamation for Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The proclamation text entered in the minutes includes the following statements: "Every 68 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted, and every 9 minutes, that victim is a child," and that "Approximately 70% of people affected by rape or sexual assault experience moderate to severe distress." The board recorded unanimous approval (Meek—Aye, Waugh—Aye, House—Aye).
Both proclamations, filed in the meeting minutes, emphasize community partnerships among child-welfare professionals, education, health, law enforcement, faith-based organizations and businesses to prevent abuse and support survivors. The minutes do not record further debate or follow-up actions tied to specific funding lines.
The board continued with other business after the proclamations, including a tabled discussion on an inmate-billing contract and routine administrative approvals.
