Contact: Lisa Robinson, (702) 326-0334, lisa@ffwpr.com
April is national Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), and the 2019 theme is “I Ask.”
“I Ask” encourages and empowers everyone, no matter the scenario, to ask for consent, listen, and accept answers without pressuring or coercing another. Signs of Hope (SOH) embraces the “I Ask” theme as a key message in educating people, starting at an early age, on how to ask for and get consent for any type of physical contact and in all types of relationships.
WHAT: Advocacy roundtable on legislative issues critical to sexual violence at federal and state levels. Daniele Staple, executive director of Signs of Hope, has organized a group of legislative experts including representatives from offices of Nevada elected officials, to lead a discussion on current federal and state legislation related to sexual violence prevention and services. This opportunity, which is free and open to the public, is intended to inform attendees about how to make their voices heard as a survivor, volunteer, friend and ally. In addition, the discussion leaders will explain how legislation is introduced, moves through the system and becomes the law of the land.
WHEN: Monday, April 8 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
WHERE: Signs of Hope, 801 S. Rancho, Suite C3, Las Vegas, NV 89106
WHO: Daniele Staple, MSW, Executive Director, Signs of Hope
Electra Skrzydlewski, Regional Representative, Senator Catherine Cortez-Masto
Melissa Ramos, Staff Representative, Congressman Steven Horsford
SOH Background:
In Las Vegas, Signs of Hope (SOH), which serves all of Clark County, has active programs in our community designed to prevent sexual violence before it has a chance to happen. In addition, the SOH operates a 24-hour hotline, meets victims at the hospital 24/7 and offers counseling to survivors and their families.
In 2018, the SOH volunteers and staff responded to 727 victims of sexual assault at the hospital, handled 4,214 calls to the hotline, a 20% increase over the previous year, and helped a record number of counseling clients. SOH expanded its office space in February of 2019 to help manage the increasing demand for services.
About Signs of Hope:
Signs of Hope (SOH) is a non-profit organization founded in 1974 by Florence McClure and Sandra Petta as the Community Action Against Rape (CAAR) with the goal of helping those in Clark County heal from the trauma of sexual violence. Today, Signs of Hope operates a 24/7 crisis hotline and hospital response for sexual assault victims and provides counseling, advocacy and support to help victims begin the healing process and navigate the legal system. SOH is also committed to raising awareness of sexual assault and engaging in prevention efforts through educational programs and community outreach, particularly to youth. Signs of Hope hotline number is 702-366-1640. For more information, visit www.rcclv.org.
###
