April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Mayor Danise "DeeDee" Henriquez and the Key West City Commission have proclaimed April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

The designation calls attention to the fact that sexual violence is widespread and impacts every person in this community.

The goal of the proclamation is to raise public awareness about sexual violence and educate communities on how to prevent it.

The proclamation was accepted by members of the board for Christina's Courage, law enforcement, and the health department. Christina's Courage Board President Lissette Quintero pointed out that the shelter is the only rape and crisis center in the Florida Keys.

Nationally, one in five women and one in 67 men will be sexually assaulted at some point in their lives. Additionally, child sexual abuse prevention must be a priority for all genders. Incidents of sexual assault has increased on school campuses and in the military.

"Our words shape the world around us," reads the proclamation. "Whether you speak out against locker room talk or help someone better understand these issues, your voice in powerful and necessary in this conversation."