Bradenton, Fla.—Centerstone, a national leader in behavioral health care, announces its annual Sexual Assault Awareness Day event to be held on Wednesday, April 27, 2022 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Sutton Park in Palmetto, Fla. This year’s theme, Enforcing, Expanding and Ensuring, underscores the importance of community acknowledgement, support, and encouragement of sharing and talking through trauma to start the healing process.
The family-friendly event program will feature comments from Florida State Representative Tommy Gregory (District 73), survivor testimonies, and local law enforcement and community partner introductions. An artwork exhibit, agency resources/vendor booths, door prizes, music games and more will also be part of the festivities. A candlelight vigil for crime victims will follow to mark National Crime Victims Awareness Week.
“This year’s theme of ‘when we work together – Enforcing, Expanding and Ensuring — all communities thrive’ reflects our collective commitment to helping people heal from trauma,” notes Charles Whitfield, Vice President of Community Care. “Sexual assault can occur in any setting, to persons of any age or gender. The resulting trauma can be devastating, whether the assault was recent or in years past. We are hosting this event to support and to empower survivors to speak out, to raise awareness and rally support around this important issue.”
To reserve a table for community outreach, please email denni.stolze@centerstone.org.
Centerstone is the certified rape crisis center for Manatee County. Certified by the Florida Council Against Sexual Violence, Centerstone has been providing support to the region for 42 years. In addition to a 24/7 helpline and crisis response, the Resource & Recovery Center offers individual and group therapy, child play therapy, safety awareness and planning, specialized support groups, court and hospital advocacy, community awareness and education. Victim advocates are available to coordinate legal, medical, victim’s rights compensation and family matters. 24/7 Sexual Assault Helpline: 941-708-6059.
About Centerstone
Centerstone is a not-for-profit health system providing mental health and substance use disorder treatments. Services are available nationally through the operation of outpatient clinics, residential programs, the use of telehealth and an inpatient hospital. Centerstone also features specialized programs for the military community, therapeutic foster care, children’s services and employee assistance programs. Centerstone’s Research Institute provides guidance through research and technology, leveraging the best practices for use in all our communities. Centerstone’s Foundation secures philanthropic resources to support the work and mission of delivering care that changes people’s lives.
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