April is Sexual Violence Prevention Month
This April, members of the Middlesex County community and partners of the Middlesex County Sexual Violence Prevention Coalition will show their support for survivors of sexual violence and raise awareness about the importance of prevention by “going teal.”
Sexual violence impacts people from all walks of life: Statistics reveal that 1 in 4 females and 1 in 6 males will be sexually abused before age 18, and that 1 in 5 females and 1 in 71 males will experience sexual assault during their lifetime.
By decreasing the factors that can lead to the perpetration of sexual violence and increasing the protective factors in our community, a community can make a difference. One of the most visible ways to show support for survivors and to stand against sexual violence is to “Go Teal.”
Middlesex County Freeholder Director Ronald G. Rios said: “Our goal is to make Middlesex County a place where our residents can feel protected and supported by their community, and ‘going teal’ is a great opportunity for our community to join together. I hope many people will take part and show their support.”
Freeholder Shanti Narra, Chair of the Public Safety and Health Committee, said: “Middlesex County’s Center for Empowerment does so much to help survivors of sexual violence. As a County, we understand that it’s also equally important to take steps to prevent sexual violence. One of the best ways to begin is by setting a good example for others. ‘Going teal’ gives us the chance to do just that.”
The Sexual Violence Prevention Coalition offers the following tips on how to raise awareness and show support:
- Pick a date in April to have groups, such as co-workers and teams, wear teal
- Host a community-based event with group activities and teal foods, such as cookies and cupcakes
- Wear teal ribbons or stickers
- Paint your nails teal
- Post your event pictures on social media using #MCGoesTeal.
Contact the Middlesex County Center for Empowerment at 1-877-665-7273 for a list of additional suggestions or for #MCGoesTeal stickers.
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County Invites Citizen Participation in WWI History Exhibit
The Middlesex County Office of Culture and Heritage is inviting you to be part of history. To commemorate the centennial of America’s entry in World War I, the Cornelius Low House, the County museum, is mounting an exhibit titled “Over There, Over Here: New Jersey During World War I.”
The exhibit will focus on the stories of New Jerseyans and the effect the war had on those at home and fighting abroad.
To add an even greater local connection to the exhibit, the Culture and Heritage Office is seeking objects for display. Objects may include military uniforms, medals, diaries, historic photographs, Red Cross or Salvation Army memorabilia, paper items, household objects and more.
“If you or family members want to add your voice to this exhibit, I encourage you to reach out to our museum staff to see how your objects, letters and period clothing can help explain how our state and citizens were impacted by and contributed to the war effort,” said Freeholder Kenneth Armwood, Chair of the County’s Business Development Committee.
If you have objects you would like to loan, please contact Katie Zavoski, Senior Curator, at 732-745-4177 or email photographs of the items to katie.zavoski@co.middlesex.nj.us. Please reach out to museum staff before dropping anything off at the museum, located at 1225 River Road in Piscataway.
The exhibit, to open Sunday, Oct. 1, will delve into topics such as the prelude to war, the home front, the roles African Americans and women had, and how art, music and photography were influenced by and played a part in the war.
In addition to the landmark display, a number of special programs are being planned for the centennial, including lectures on German U-Boat attacks off the coast of New Jersey, the 1918 Influenza Epidemic and an open air concert featuring the songs of World War I.
“There is so much to explore and so many things to be learned about this time period and our state’s part in it,” said Freeholder Director Ronald G. Rios. “I encourage you to come to the exhibit and attend the events.”
For more information on this and other history programming, visit the County website at www.middlesexcountynj.gov or call (732) 745-3030.