Chatham-Kent is recognizing Sexual Assault Prevention Month in the municipality.
The Chatham-Kent Sexual Assault Crisis Centre raised a flag Wednesday afternoon at the Civic Centre in Chatham to mark the beginning of the annual event, which aims to raise awareness and promote healthy and positive relationships based on respect, safety and equality.
Chatham-Kent Police Chief Gary Conn said last year marked the first year the municipality has seen a significant reduction in sexual assault incidents.
“We generally average between 90-100 sexual assault incidents per year in Chatham-Kent,” he said in a news release. “In 2022, we had a 30 per cent reduction, down to 74.”
Members of several community groups attended the flag-raising on Wednesday to speak words of inspiration and hope, including the Sexual Assault Crisis Centre, the CK Coordinating Committee to End Violence Against Women, the CK Anti-Trafficking Coalition, and Ska:na Family Learning Centre among others.
