A PROCLAMATION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PISMO BEACH RECOGNIZING APRIL 2022 AS SEXUAL ASSAULT ACTION MONTH
WHEREAS, Sexual Assault Action Month calls attention to the fact that sexual and intimate partner violence is widespread and impacts every person in Pismo Beach; and
WHEREAS, RISE and Stand Strong officially merged on July 1, 2021 to form Lumina Alliance, an agency that serves survivors of sexual and intimate partner violence throughout all of San Luis Obispo County; and
WHEREAS, although progress has been made toward preventing and ending sexual violence and providing support to survivors and their families, important work remains to be done; and
WHEREAS, there is a need to focus on the individualized needs of sexual violence survivors; and
WHEREAS, the marginalization of certain groups in society, including undocumented individuals, transgender individuals, and those living with disabilities, increases their vulnerability to sexual violence; and
WHEREAS, Lumina Alliance continues to provide a safe environment to those affected by sexual violence with crisis intervention, counseling, education, legal services, and emergency safe housing, with the help of dedicated volunteers and professionals; and
WHEREAS, Lumina Alliance has provided services to more than 935 people in the last year, including more than 4,852 collective nights provided for shelter clients, and more than 2,130 hours of counseling; and
WHEREAS, Lumina Alliance has created San Luis Obispo’s first social marketing campaign, ReDefine SLO, focused on parents and educators of preteen boys in an effort to prioritize frequent and quality conversations on topics such as gender, masculinity, and consent in an effort to prevent violence, harm, and assault in our community; and
WHEREAS, the City of Pismo Beach joins Lumina Alliance and other advocates and communities across the country in taking action to prevent sexual violence, and help survivors connect with services; and
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Pismo Beach hereby recognizes April 2022 as “Sexual Assault Action Month.”
Dated this 19th day of March, 2022
________________________
Ed Waage, Mayor
4.A-1Council Agenda 4-19-2022