BY JEFF CHUDZINSKI
North Country This Week

CANTON — St. Lawrence County Legislators are declaring April Sexual Assault Awareness month.

Officials passed a resolution during the Operations Committee meeting on March 13.

The resolution was brought forth by Tim LePage, probations director on behalf of Renewal House.

According to LePage, Renewal House will be acting as a lead agency in the month-long campaign.

Renewal House is a Canton based organization who’s mission it is “to respond immediately to the needs of victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in St. Lawrence County through services which empower victims and increase community awareness,” according to their website.

Officials say they hope to raise awareness about sexual violence through educating communities and individuals about how to prevent it.

The 2023 Sexual Assault Awareness Month campaign theme is Drawing Connections: Prevention Demands Equity, and focuses on changing ourselves and the systems surrounding us to build equity and respect, according to the resolution.

Officials say racism, ableism, sexism, classism, heterosexim and ageism are some of the largest contributing factors to increased numbers of abuse rates.

Officials also took the opportunity to highlight the work being done by organizations such as Renewal House, which offers counseling, crisis intervention, prevention and advocacy that includes a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner program.

Officials say sexual assault is a serious and widespread problem and St. Lawrence County can highlight sexual violence as a major public health, human rights, and socialjustice issue and respond to the needs of those most impacted by systemic oppression.

Throughout the month of April numerous events are being planned to raise awareness about sexual assault.

Legislators hope to encourage community members to educate themselves about the dangers of oppression and how it can lead to increased numbers of sexual assaults. Officials also say it is their hope community members will join advocates and communities across the county to play an active role in raising awareness about sexual assault.

For more information or to contact Renewal House’s 24-hour crisis hotline, call (315) 379-9845.