City News & Updates
April is a time to raise community awareness about the difficult issues of sexual assault. Be a part of ending this serious problem by getting involved in April. With our partners at YWCA Northeast Indiana, our goals for this month include engaging the community, defining consent, and sharing messages of hope and empowerment.
Mayor Richard Strick presents a Sexual Assault Awareness Month proclamation to YWCA Northeast Indiana.
Sexual Assault Awareness Month Toolkit
Events
Speak Your Truth
Friday, April 11, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Tall Rabbit Cafe + Community, 2001 Calhoun St., Fort Wayne, IN 46802
This FREE event is a mic night for survivors of sexual violence to share their survivorship and strength through any art medium of their choosing; music, poetry, visual art etc. Everyone is welcome to come listen and show support for the community. Coffee, tea, and pastries will be for sale for your enjoyment and proceeds will go to Blue Jacket. Agencies who work with survivors will be present to share resources available to the community. Art supplies will be available and there will be time for attendees to create their own inspiring pieces. Come help raise awareness and show support! Register here! If you want to share or present at the event, please email ewalker@ywcanein.org to coordinate.
Get Involved
Survivors can join YWCA Northeast Indiana's Monday support group. Call (260) 424-4908 ext. 113 for details.
Wear Teal on Tuesdays in April. Tag YWCA Northeast Indiana in your pictures!
Wear denim on Denim Day - April 30th
Share Toolkit and Social Media Posts
Facebook: YWCA Northeast Indiana
Instagram: @ywcanein
X: @ywca_nein
Resources
Visit the YWCA Northeast Indiana website at ywcanein.org/saam or scan for more information, resources and additional ways to get involved!
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Crisis Line
(800) 441-4073
Proclamation
‘SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH’
April 2025
WHEREAS, the City of Huntington and YWCA of Northeast Indiana are committed to eliminating sexual assault, rape and sexual harassment in our community. During Sexual Assault Awareness Month, we renew our commitment to prevent and raise awareness about the trauma sexual assault causes.
WHEREAS, child sexual abuse prevention must be a priority to confront the reality that 1 in 6 boys and 1 in 4 girls will experience a sexual assault before age 18; and
WHEREAS, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 16 men are sexually assaulted during their time at college; and
WHEREAS, marginalized groups of people experience rape, sexual assault and sexual harassment at higher rates than the rest of the population; and
WHEREAS, 80% of sexual assaults are perpetrated by people victims know, and 95% of perpetrators are never convicted; and
WHEREAS, we are asking our community to show we support them by believing them, learning more about these crimes, and by using our voices to speak up for those who need us to speak out against victim blaming and other harmful attitudes, words and actions.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Richard Strick, Mayor of the City of Huntington, hereby proclaim April as “Sexual Assault Awareness Month.” Huntington residents are encouraged to work toward eliminating sexual assault in our community, speak up for victims, support victims in healing and restoration when sexual assault does occur, and hold perpetrators accountable.