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April is designated as Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and Reach of Cherokee County Inc. worked hard to continue its outreach and educational efforts to the community.
Matthew Crawford, Reach’s marketing coordinator and advocate, said, “April went better than I could have ever hoped.”
Crawford referred to Reach’s increased social media reach as well as their multiple community events.
“This year’s theme is Your Voice has Power,” he said. “Reach wants to help empower everyone to speak up for themselves and others, and bring a topic that is not openly talked about into acceptance.”
To that end, Reach sponsored an initiative called Teal Rocks. The Reach Support Team painted rocks with support messages that were then scattered about the downtown area.
“Within 24 hours, 35 rocks were gone,” Crawford said. “This means 35 people who needed our support have received it.”
Teal is the official color of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and the teal ribbon symbolizes sexual violence prevention. The outreach team also set up teal silhouette sculptures downtown.
Reach also held a fundraiser at Waffle King, which saw the entire staff wear Sexual Assault Awareness Month, picking up community support outside the restaurant. They also presented informational tables at Tri-County Community College, the Andrews and Murphy public libraries, the Cherokee County Health Department and Family Life Chiropractic Center.
Reach will use their April momentum to march forward into spring.
“April had a huge impact, and I think moving forward we will see that,” Crawford said.
The nonprofit agency’s efforts saw increase in their social media traffic, as they received 26,918 views on Facebook. They also gave away 5,000 pieces of informational swag throughout the month.
Reach’s mission is to lead the community in eliminating domestic violence and sexual assault through education advocacy, self-empowerment and community awareness. Because there is such a social stigma surrounding domestic abuse and sexual assault, Reach focuses many of its efforts on championing those who have the courage to speak out.
“The most challenging and bravest thing you can do is to speak up,” Crawford said.
Reach remains ready to serve and support those finding their voice.
