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Ottawa County proclaims April 2026 Sexual Assault Awareness Month after DVACK presentation
Summary
After a presentation by Tanya Paul of DVACK detailing regional sexual-assault and domestic-violence service numbers, Ottawa County commissioners unanimously approved a proclamation declaring April 2026 Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Tanya Paul of Domestic Violence Association of Central Kansas (DVACK) presented a request and supporting information asking Ottawa County to proclaim April 2026 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Paul summarized outreach activities such as Wear Red Day and Wear Denim Day, local cup-sleeve and ribbon-magnet distribution, and a planned May 30 fun run in Salina. She also outlined DVACK's service numbers for recent years.
"In Kansas, 977 incidents of sexual assault were reported in 2024, with one rape every 8 hours, 57 minutes, and 58 seconds, and law enforcement making one arrest for rape approximately every 2 days, 19 hours, 23 minutes, and 31 seconds," Paul said. She reported that from January through December 2025 DVACK served 132 survivors of domestic violence across 19 counties who also experienced sexual violence in their relationships (including 96 survivors from Saline County), and supported 89 survivors whose primary victimization was sexual assault across 12 counties (including 63 from Saline County). The commission moved to approve the proclamation; the motion, made by Commissioner Carla Grund and seconded by Commissioner Duane Morris, passed 3-0.
The proclamation directs county residents to support survivors and promote prevention efforts and was recorded in the minutes as adopted by a unanimous vote.
