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Community leaders unite to combat sexual violence

 

COLUMBUS—At the Polk County Board of Commissioners regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, March 18, the board declared April Sexual Assault Awareness Month. 

Prior to the decision, Polk County High School girls’ volleyball coach Molly Hill made a short presentation to the board. She and Polk High seniors Mikala Fisher and Ada Kelley presented the board with medallions that match their state girls’ volleyball championship rings. 

“We just wanted to come and thank you again for all of your support,” Hill said. “We wouldn’t have been able to do it without you.”

Afterward, the motion to declare April Sexual Assault Awareness Month passed unanimously. Steps to Hope originally proposed the idea.

“The purpose of Sexual Assault Awareness Month is to raise the public’s awareness of sexual violence. Our goal is to educate people on how to prevent it,” said Cindy Wickland, Program Outreach and Education manager of Steps to Hope.

“It calls attention to the fact that sexual violence is widespread, and it affects every person in Polk County.”