2017-0103
Title
Proclamation: “Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Financial Literacy Month”
Body
P R O C L A M A T I O N
WHEREAS, sexual assault and financial literacy are key issues for victims of domestic and sexual violence. Many victims of domestic violence, teen dating violence, and stalking are also the victims of rape and sexual assault; at the same time, one of the greatest barriers to escaping a pattern of abusive behavior is economics; and,
WHEREAS, rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment harm our community. Statistics show youth ages 12-17 were 2.5 times as likely to be victims of rape or sexual assault, one in four girls will experience a sexual assault before age 18, one in five women and one in 71 men will be raped at some point in their lives; and
WHEREAS, today’s economy is exacerbating sexual assault, and, at the same time, it is limiting survivors options to get help. Financial Abuse is an invisible weapon. Ninety-nine percent of women who experience physical violence in a relationship also experience some form of economic abuse; abusers use finances as an invisible weapon to keep victims trapped in abusive relationships; and,
WHEREAS, the National Network to End Domestic Violence and the Allstate Foundation has teamed up to create a unique program that is helping survivors of abuse become financially literate and independent from those who continuously perpetrate abuse against them; and,
WHEREAS, the Allstate Foundation Purple Purse campaign is aimed at creating long-term safety and security for survivors through financial empowerment. The program ignites fundraising for hundreds of national, state, and local domestic violence organizations; and,
WHEREAS, the Metro Centers for Community Advocacy provides free and confidential services to women, children, and male survivors to enable families to regain their physical and emotional strength with the goal to provide assistance to anyone seeking help and this is accomplished through state, federal, and local grant monies as well as donations; and,
WHEREAS, St. Charles Parish commends the Metro Centers for Community Advocacy for providing services to survivors of trauma; for when survivors become stronger the community is strengthened. To break the cycle of violence and aid survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and stalking is the mission of the Metro Centers for Community Advocacy and is accomplished through advocacy, intervention, empowerment, and transformation, inclusive of a 24/7 Crisis Line.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT WE, THE MEMBERS OF THE ST. CHARLES PARISH COUNCIL AND THE PARISH PRESIDENT, DO HEREBY, declare the month of APRIL 2017 as
"SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH
AND
FINANCIAL LITERACY MONTH”
IN ST. CHARLES PARISH AND ENCOURAGE ALL RESIDENTS TO EDUCATE THEMSELVES AND SPEAK OUT AGAINST SEXUAL VIOLENCE AND TO INCREASE THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF FINANCIAL STABILITY.
LARRY COCHRAN WENDY BENEDETTO
PARISH PRESIDENT COUNCILWOMAN AT LARGE, DIV. A
PAUL J. HOGAN, PE WILLIAM BILLY WOODRUFF
COUNCILMAN AT LARGE, DIV. B COUNCILMAN, DISTRICT IV
TERRELL D. WILSON MARILYN B. BELLOCK
COUNCILMAN, DISTRICT I COUNCILWOMAN, DISTRICT V
MARY K. CLULEE TRACI A. FLETCHER
COUNCILWOMAN, DISTRICT II COUNCILWOMAN, DISTRICT VI
DICK GIBBS JULIA FISHER-PERRIER
COUNCILMAN, DISTRICT III COUNCILWOMAN, DISTRICT VII
Sexual Assault-Financial Literacy Month 2017.pcl