Before opening the regular Monroe County Commissioners’ Wednesday night meeting, the commissioners took time to commend Lauren Peterson, Executive Director for Women’s Resources, and Martha Robbins, Executive Director of the Redevelopment Authority, for their dedication to the work they do to make Monroe County a better place for the people who live in the county and going a step further the board of commissioners declared two proclamations.

The first proclamation, read by Commissioner John Christy, declared April 2022 Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

“We want to increase public awareness of sexual violence in any way, in many forms to educate the community about the vital need of the involvement in efforts to reduce violence, to increase support of for all agencies providing sexual assault violence services and whereas members of our community and urge to support and assist in any way possible to advance a society where all children, women and men can live in peace from violence and exploitation,” he said.

Peterson stood and thanked the commissioners and members of the community.

“Women’s Resources has been providing services completely free of charge and confidential services to survivors and victims of domestic and sexual violence for over 40 years here in Monroe County. I know that the county, especially the commissioners has always recognized Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and while it may seem sometimes seem trite to do so, it’s important for us to have these awareness discussions because the more that we have opportunities to discuss sexual violence to support survivors and show our solidarity with survivors, the more we can bring sexual and domestic violence out of the darkness and into the light and show survivors that maybe are hiding still in the darkness afraid to come forward or even unaware that they are victims themselves,” Peterson said.

Women’s Resources has trained counselor advocates working 24/7 providing these crucial services. Just last year alone, Women’s Resources saw over 2,000 calls on their hot line, more than the agency saw in any previous year.

“So we’re only going to see that grow as we continue to see many more survivors come out of the shadows,” she said.

Every time they had a need there was someone who provided, whether it was masks, cleaning supplies, food, clothing or funding, she said, “When we said that we needed it was provided. So we’re very lucky to be living and working in Monroe County and we very much thank you for your continued support.”

At 5:30 p.m. on Thursday the annual “Take Back the Night March” will take place at Dansbury Depot in East Stroudsburg. The march will start promptly at 6 p.m. and will head through East Stroudsburg University.

“We encourage the community to come out an share their solidarity, show their support,” Peterson said. “March to shatter the silence and then the violence.”

Fair housing month

Commissioners’ Chairman Sharon Laverdure read the second proclamation recognizing fair housing awareness month.

“In the shared goal and responsibility of providing equal housing opportunities for all men and women, Monroe County does hereby join in the national celebration by proclaiming April 2022 as Fair Housing Awareness Month and encourages all agencies institutions and individuals, public and private, in Monroe County to abide by the letter and the spirit of the Fair Housing law.”