Representatives from SERV (Services Empowering Rights of Victims), and Contact of Burlington County, were presented proclamations by council at their recent meeting for their work with domestic violence and sexual-violence survivors.
Evesham Township recognized Sexual Assault Awareness Month at its April 8 meeting by citing related services in the community.
“I want to invite some representative who do literally God’s work in providing support for sexual assault victims,” Councilwoman Dr. Krystal Hunter said.
They included representatives from SERV (Services Empowering Rights of Victims), which provides comprehensive, free and confidential support for sexual-assault survivors in the township and county, including a 24/7 hotline at (856) 295-7378, an emergency shelter and legal advocacy. Also recognized was Contact of Burlington County and its similar services.
“It’s been 25 years since (Contact of Burlington County) started,” noted Jai Patel, Contact’s president and CEO. “And over those years, we’ve had countless advocates, counselors, law-enforcement officers, as well as elected officials, work with us and organizations like us to make sure those who experience sexual violence do not have to walk alone.
“There is a SERV and Contact in every single county in New Jersey,” Patel added. “There’s a domestic violence and sexual-violence provider (in every county). So if you’re not from (Burlington) County or Camden County, you can also look it up to get involved or volunteer.
“But we just want to say thank you so much; this is very important work that we’re all doing (and) we couldn’t do it without the support of the community.”
Mayor Jaclyn Veasy read a township proclamation that emphasized the importance of being educated on the topic of sexual consent.
“It’s necessary to call to attention that sexual assault is more widespread in our nation than realized,” Veasy read. “Its repercussions affect both victims and their communities. Sexual assault can be perpetrated either in person or through technology, social media … and can take many forms, such as verbal or physical abuse, unwanted sexual contact or harassment.”
The document also notes that sexual assault is an under-reported crime that affects all ages, genders, races and socio-economic backgrounds.
“It’s understood that an individual’s sexual consent cannot be obtained through forced coercion, manipulation, threats or intimidation,” the proclamation states. “Raising public awareness on how to prevent sexual assault and to support victims of sexual violence is the objective of New Jersey organizations such as the New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault, Contact of Burlington County and SERV.
“It is imperative to promote communities to be more connected, respectful, inclusive, and most importantly, educated about sexual consent, bystander intervention, and healthy relationships skills in order to prevent sexual assaults from happening.”
Veasy cited the efforts of Hunter.
“I want to give a special shoutout to Councilwoman Hunter, who is a trained volunteer and does help victims of sexual assault and domestic violence,” the mayor said. “We know that on top of everything that she does, it’s an honor for you to do that.”
