Council declares April as Sexual Assault Awareness month

Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
SIGNS DECLARATION — The Houlton Town Council signed a declaration Monday evening pronouncing April as Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention month in Houlton. Taking part in the signing are, from left, Jane Root, director of the Maliseet Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Program; council deputy chairman Nancy Ketch; and councilor Sue Tortello.
By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — The Houlton Town Council signed a declaration Monday evening proclaiming April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month at the request of the Aroostook Mental Health Center and the Houlton Band of Maliseets.
    “Last year, for the first time, the AMHC Sexual Assault Services and the Maliseet Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Program collaborated on awareness that occurred in Houlton,” explained Jane Root, director of the Maliseet Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Program.
    Among the activities planned for the month is the second annual Denim Day in the County on Wednesday, April 13. Denim Day is a day-long observance dedicated to raising awareness about sexual violence.
    Individuals are encouraged to wear denim jeans to work or school to show support for the cause.
    “Houlton Regional Hospital participated last year and had more than 200 employees wearing denim that day,” Root said. “Some places can’t allow it due to corporate regulations, but we received a really good response from Houlton employers.”
    Root said the theme for this year was “It is time to get involved.”
    “It’s all about not being a silent bystander,” she explained. “Call the police if you witness something.”
    Individuals may also call the AMHC Sexual Assault Services hotline at 1-800-5503304 or the Maliseet Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Program at 532-6401.
    In addition, the second annual Cupcake Run will be held Saturday, April 30 with a two-mile walk and 5K run. The walk begins at 9:45 a.m., with the run following at 10 a.m. Registration will begin at 9 a.m. in the community room at the Millar Arena Civic Center in Houlton. The course will begin at Millar Arena and travel to the Foxcroft Road, with a turnaround and finish back at the Civic Center.
    “Last year, we had 100 participants, so we had a great turnout,” Root said.
    An awards ceremony will be held at 11:15 a.m., with prizes to the first five walkers; and age group winners in the 5K. Complimentary cupcakes will be available for all participants following the race, which is co-sponsored by the Aroostook Musterds Running Club.
    The cost is $10 for those age 12-64 and $5 for children under 12 and seniors 65 and older. T-shirts will be presented to pre-registered walkers and runners on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, contact Katie Bell at 532-3000 or Cara Berube at 834-3186. Proceeds from the race benefit the two service groups.
    “This is a wonderful opportunity and something that we have done in the past,” Town Manager Doug Hazlett said.