Commissioners raise awareness about scourge of domestic violence

By Anya Tikka
MILFORD — The Pike County Commissioners awarded Safe Haven with a check for $10,000 as they proclaimed April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month at their April 5 meeting.
“We know how important it for our community,” said Commissioners' Chair Matt Osterberg while handing over the check to Tamara Chant, executive director of Safe Haven shelter for victims of domestic violence.
Chant said the center is in need of funds. She said the agency is expanding its reach to outlying communities.
Commissioner Steven Guccini said he knew first and from his work that sexual assault can happen anywhere, although many think, “not here.”
He praised Safe Haven’s initiatives after its recent move to Broad Street, closer to county administrative and law enforcement offices, and hiring Chant as the new director. Safe Haven also has newly trained staff, many of whom attended the meeting.
The Commissioners' resolution includes this passage, among others: “Sexual Assault Awareness Month calls attention to the fact that sexual violence is widespread and impacts every person in this community.”
Among the disturbing statistics the resolution also states are that one in five women and one in 71 men will be raped at some point in their lives. One in six boys and one in four girls will experience a sexual assault before age 18.
More than half of assaults are not reported to the police, although the crimes happen every two minutes in the United States and affect the most vulnerable citizens, including children and the disabled.
The resolution says everyone is entitled to support, and that the victims are not to blame.