The Barton County Commission on Tuesday adopted Proclamation 2026-01 in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Proclamation 2026-02 recognizing Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month. The proclamations were presented by Kylee Graves, executive director at the Family Crisis Center, and Kayla Bailey, program director of the Child Advocacy Center at the FCC.

Sexual Assault Awareness Month

WHEREAS, sexual violence is a widespread, preventable, public health problem in Kansas; and

WHEREAS, sexual violence is any sexual act that is perpetrated against someone’s will, which includes sexual assault, rape, unwanted touching, threatened sexual violence, exhibitionism and verbal sexual harassment; and all types of sexual violence involve victims who do not consent, or who are unable to consent, or who refuse to allow the act; and

WHEREAS, one in five women and one in four men experience some form of contact sexual violence in their lifetimes; and 

WHEREAS, one incident of rape is reported to Kansas law enforcement every 8 hours, 57 minutes, 58 seconds; and over 5,300 people receive services for sexual assault from Kansas victim advocacy organizations each year; and

WHEREAS, these statistics do not represent the true prevalence of sexual violence due to underreporting; and sex offenders often targeting people they perceive as vulnerable, less powerful or less credible; and 

WHEREAS, the offender is known to the victim in the vast majority of cases – 80% in Kansas; and 

WHEREAS, the effects of sexual violence may be felt directly after or for many months or years later; and confusion, anger, sadness, shame, guilt, helplessness, hopelessness and self-blame are all common reactions to sexual violence; and

WHEREAS, the Family Crisis Center Inc. provides free and confidential services to victims of sexual violence in Barton, Barber, Comanche, Edwards, Kiowa, Ness, Pawnee, Pratt, Rush and Stafford Counties; and

WHEREAS, the Family Crisis Center Inc. is also available 24/7/365 at 620-792-1885 via phone call or text.

Now, therefore, be it proclaimed by the Board of County Commissioners of Barton County, Kansas, that the month of April, 2026, shall be known as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in Barton County; and further, that the Commission urges citizens to participate in this observance.

Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month

WHEREAS, preventing child abuse and neglect is a community problem that requires all citizens to be involved; and

WHEREAS, child maltreatment occurs when people find themselves in stressful situations without community resources, support systems, and don’t know how to cope; and

WHEREAS, child abuse and neglect can be reduced by making sure families have the support they need to raise their children in a healthy environment; and

WHEREAS, in Barton County, there are dedicated individuals and organizations that work daily to counter the problem of child abuse and neglect and help parents obtain the assistance they need; and

WHEREAS, all children deserve freedom from verbal abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse and physical abuse and neglect; and

WHEREAS, all children deserve to have warm homes, loving hugs, tender care, parents and adults who listen and promote self-esteem, give quality time, provide necessary food shelter, clothing and attention; and

WHEREAS, effective child abuse prevention programs succeed because of partnerships created among social service agencies, schools, faith communities, civic organizations, law enforcement agencies and the business community; and

WHEREAS, prevention remains the best defense for our children and families; 

Now, therefore, be it proclaimed by the Board of County Commissioners of Barton County, Kansas, that the month of April, 2026, is Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month in Barton County; and further, that the Commission calls upon all citizens, community agencies, faith groups, medical facilities, and businesses to increase participation in efforts to support families, thereby preventing child abuse and strengthening the community.