Tri-County Help Center Community Education Advocate Misty Klug asks Shadyside Mayor Mike Meintel to make a proclamation declaring that April is sexual assault awareness month. (T-L Photo/GAGE VOTA)

SHADYSIDE – Tri-County Help Center Community Education Advocate Misty Klug recently attended the village council meeting to ask for Mayor Mike Meintel to make a proclamation declaring that April is sexual assault awareness month.

“It’s observed every April to raise awareness about the prevalence of sexual violence. And it affects millions of Americans, and it impacts every single community, including Shadyside,” Klug said. “One of the things that we were hoping the village would be willing to do is do a mayoral proclamation in the month of April, recognizing that April is sexual assault awareness month and that the village of Shadyside is committed to initiatives to raise awareness and support survivors.”

She added that she attended the meeting to ask that Meintel or a member of council would be able to attend a sexual assault response team board meeting on April 24 at the Shadyside Community Center.

The SART board is a collaborative that is made up of law enforcement from all over the Ohio Valley.

“We currently do not have representation from the village of Shadyside so I wanted to come here and personally invite the village of Shadyside law enforcement to become a member of our SART board,” Klug said. “We meet quarterly to talk about best practices in dealing with sexual assault cases and all of those types of things.”

Meintel asked Klug to send Clerk of Council Betty Snyder an email with all of the information of when the board meets and he ensured that he or someone from the village will be a participant of the board.

She said that she would be more than happy to send an email providing all of the information.

The April 24 meeting will be a “lunch and learn” where food will be provided and Klug will inform members what to look for and what resources are available for survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence and human trafficking.

Klug added that Tri-County has a 24 hour line that is available for survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence and human trafficking.

“They can call that number 24 hours a day, and someone will answer, and we can provide support. And we know these things are happening in all communities and my goal is to be in these communities and make sure people are aware of these resources,” Klug said. “So I appreciate you having me here and letting me invite you to do those things.”

Meintel replied that he will make a proclamation declaring April as sexual assault awareness month at council’s next meeting on March 23 at 6 p.m.

He said that he believes making the proclamation at the last March meeting will allow residents to be aware that the entire month of April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month.