T-L Photo/ROBERT A. DEFRANK

ABOVE: Belmont County commissioners recognize April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month on Wednesday and hear an update on activities by the Tri-County Help Center. Staff reported an increase in sexual assault survivors, with 64 in 2022 in Belmont, Harrison and Monroe counties, 18 of whom reported to law enforcement. The center is seeing an increase in incidents among teenagers and individuals with developmental disabilities. Pictured are Commissioner Josh Meyer, from left, JaQue Galloway, program facilitator with Tri-County, Commissioners J.P. Dutton and Jerry Echemann, and Chelsea Scott, executive director of the center.