‘One workforce, one neighborhood for survivors,’ massive crowd exhibits up for Survivor’s Stroll | Native Information

Around 100 people appeared outside Rome City Hall on Friday afternoon to support survivors of sexual assault and child abuse.

Kimberly King, the director of the Sexual Assault Center in northwest Georgia, has been working non-stop for National Sexual Assault Awareness Month throughout April. This year’s “I Support Survivors” theme has garnered a lot of local attention as police officers tie teal ribbons on patrol cars and social media posts, and community members talk about why they are supporting survivors.

“A lot of people don’t know the center and everything they do,” said SAC board member Ghee Wilson. “There’s a lot of stigma surrounding sexual assault and we’re trying to work on it.”

The center provides free and confidential services related to sexual assault. The community outreach part of their mission includes visiting local schools and speaking with students about preventing sexual assault and resolving difficult or dangerous situations.

The center has a 24-hour hotline with free advice, which can be reached at 706-802-0580.

This year, King and coworkers ran an awareness walk with the Harbor House Child Advocacy Center. Harbor House works specifically with children who have been victims of abuse. The non-profit organization offers advice and secure interviews.

The two nonprofits have also worked together on several cases, particularly when it comes to sexual abuse.

Rome Circuit Assistant District Attorney and Board Member of Harbor House Luke Martin said the court is working with Harbor House and the Sexual Assault Center in northwest Georgia on all child abuse and sexual assault cases.

“The collaboration we do behind the scenes that people don’t know about comes into play at events like this,” said Joe Costolnick, Executive Director of Harbor House.

King went on to say that they would not be here without such great community support.

“It’s a team, a community for survivors,” King said.

The walk, made up of people waving signs and playing inspirational music, started at City Hall and went down to Third Avenue and back up again.