Over 60 advocates and allies gathered in Hartford on April 5th the National Day of Action to kick off Sexual Assault Awareness Month with a press conference.
Speakers included Laura Cordes, Executive Director of The Alliance, Ivonne Zucco, Executive Director of The Center for Sexual Assault Crisis Counseling and Education in Stamford, Representative Gregg Haddad, Deb Heinrich, Director of Policy and Public Relations at The Alliance, Senator Mae Flexer and Representative Caroline Simmons.
Utilizing the 2016 theme ‘Prevention is Possible’ advocates highlighted statewide efforts to raise public awareness and engage communities and individuals to take an active role in preventing sexual violence.
Featured efforts included the The Alliance statewide Where Do You Stand CT? campaign which engages men as active bystanders, and the soon to be released state guidance document for school districts to implement comprehensive sexual assault and abuse prevention and awareness programs to all students in K-12.
With one month left in the session advocates and lawmakers urged passage of bills that would support survivors of sexual violence and increase prevention efforts including:
- HB5605 An Act Concerning The Termination of Parental Rights (of Rapists)
- HB5623 An Act Concerning Violence Against Women and Human Trafficking
- HB5376 An Act Concerning Affirmative Consent
Click here to find Sexual Assault Awareness Month activities throughout the state.