BUCKHANNON – The Upshur County Commission approved proclamations Thursday, April 9, recognizing April as Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month in Upshur County.
The child abuse prevention proclamation says abuse and neglect are often tied to broader problems, including a lack of resources and support for families. It calls on residents, community agencies, faith groups, medical facilities and businesses to help strengthen families and prevent abuse.
It also highlights five protective factors – knowledge of parenting and child development, parental resilience, social connections, social and emotional development of children and concrete support in times of need – as important tools for supporting children and families.
The sexual assault awareness proclamation says the observance marks 25 years of progress and recommits communities to prevention and survivor support. Prevention starts with how people support one another, practice consent and create spaces rooted in care and respect.
The proclamation also includes national statistics on contact sexual violence and says communities must continue to strengthen prevention, support healing and work toward a future free from sexual violence.
The full proclamation texts appear below:
Child Abuse Prevention Month Proclamation
WHEREAS, during Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month, it is important to talk about what each and every one of us can do to make sure that children in our community grow up healthy, safe, educated and loved;
WHEREAS, child abuse and neglect is a symptom of a larger problem — the lack of resources and support for families in our community — and the majority of child abuse cases stem from situations and conditions that are preventable in an engaged and supportive community;
WHEREAS, when the well-being of children and families becomes the priority of everyone in the community, the number of child abuse and neglect cases will decrease, and other good things will happen, such as better health outcomes and improved school performance;
WHEREAS, child abuse and neglect can be reduced by making sure each family has the support they need to raise their children in a healthy environment;
WHEREAS, this month, it is important that every member of our community consider what they can do to improve our collective well-being, which can be achieved by volunteering, making donations, or advocating for family-friendly policies and programs — everyone can take their turn making a difference;
WHEREAS, Child Abuse Prevention Month is an especially good time to talk about the five Protective Factors (Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development; Parental Resilience; Social Connections; Social and Emotional Development of Children; and Concrete Support in Times of Need) and how, when present, they increase the health and well-being of children and families.
NOW THEREFORE, the Upshur County Commission does hereby proclaim the month of April as Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month in Upshur County and call upon all citizens, community agencies, faith groups, medical facilities and businesses to increase their participation in our efforts to support families, thereby preventing child abuse and strengthening the communities in which we live.
Sexual Assault Awareness Month Proclamation
April marks Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) — a time to honor 25 years of progress and recommit to creating safer communities for all. This year’s theme, “25 Years Strong: Looking Back, Moving Forward,” celebrates the resilience of survivors and the communities that have worked for change.
For 25 years, SAAM has supported survivors, raised awareness and inspired action to prevent sexual assault, abuse and harassment. As we reflect on how far we have come, we also recognize the work that lies ahead.
Prevention starts with all of us. It is in how we support one another, practice consent and create spaces rooted in care and respect. When we act with intention, we move closer to a future free from violence.
We honor the survivors who have shared their stories and the advocates who have led the way. Their courage reminds us that prevention is possible and that each of us has a role to play.
As we look to the next 25 years, we renew our commitment to building a future free from sexual violence.
Together, we can continue to strengthen prevention, support healing and create communities where everyone feels safe and valued.
Statistics show:
- Most women and men across all sexual identities who experienced contact sexual violence reported that the person who harmed them was someone they knew (Chen et al., 2023).
- Over 53% of women and over 29% of men reported experiencing contact sexual violence (Chen et al., 2023).
- 1 in 5 male victims reported only male perpetrators, 1 in 2 had only female perpetrators, and about 1 in 6 had both male and female perpetrators (Chen et al., 2023).
- More than 1 in 4 non-Hispanic Black women (29%) in the United States were raped in their lifetime (Basile et al., 2022).
- 1 in 3 Hispanic women (34.8%) reported unwanted sexual contact in their lifetime (Basile et al., 2022).
