Glasgow proclaims April 2026 Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month; Hope Harbor thanked for services

Mayor Henry Royce on Monday read a joint proclamation declaring April 2026 "Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month" for Glasgow and Barron County and invited Melissa Whitley of Hope Harbor to speak about the nonprofit’s local work.

The proclamation, signed at the meeting, cites Hope Harbor’s 2025 service numbers: 461 survivors assisted; 245 hotline calls answered; 94 medical‑exam accompaniments; 1,684 counseling sessions; and accompaniment to 130 legal proceedings. The proclamation also notes Hope Harbor provided roughly 425 educational and training events that reached about 5,053 participants in schools, religious organizations and civic groups.

"We are located just right in Doctor Modi's corner down at 204," Whitley said, asking council members and residents to refer constituents in need to the organization. She thanked the council and volunteers and emphasized the agency’s front‑line work supporting survivors.

Mayor Royce said the statistics in the proclamation were “very, very impressive” and signed the document alongside Barron County’s judge executive, making the designation official. The proclamation also referenced law‑enforcement training requirements under the Kentucky sexual‑assault forensic evidence statute and a memorandum of understanding between Hope Harbor and the Barron County Detention Center to provide services to incarcerated survivors.

The presentation closed with the mayor thanking Hope Harbor and reminding residents where to find services locally. No council action was required beyond the ceremonial proclamation.

The council moved on to other agenda items after the presentation.