MANSFIELD — Spring is a busy time of year in terms of creating national public awareness for important causes.
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. May is Mental Health Awareness Month.
Add Sexual Abuse Awareness Month to the April list.
Mansfield Mayor Jodie Perry and state Rep. Marilyn John (R-Richland County) were joined Tuesday at a Richland County Board of Commissioners meeting by a room full of other elected officials and leaders of agencies largely in support of all three causes.
Perry presented a proclamation marking April as Sexual Abuse Awareness Month in the city.
“This (proclamation) does say April 2026 and we are near the end of April,” she said. “We did that purposefully, knowing at the beginning of the month we kicked off (Child Abuse Prevention Month) and we are just a few days away from proclaiming Mental Health Awareness Month,” the mayor said.
“So we have tried to fit (the SAAM) proclamation in between here, but the support services and the advocacy work being done here is really year-round,” Perry said.
“We are very blessed to have all of these amazing (support) agencies (locally). In a perfect world, we wouldn’t need them. We wish nobody had to deal with (sexual abuse), but it’s very prevalent,” the mayor said.
Perry said local organizations are recommending sex abuse victims use First Call 2-1-1 to identify and locate services appropropriate for their needs.
In her proclamation, Perry said studies show sexual abuse impacts individuals of all ages, genders and backgrounds.
She said male victims are “often underrepresented in public awareness, research and support services,” despite studies that show one in six boys experience sexual abuse before the age of 18.
The mayor said those same studies show males often don’t seek help due to “stigma, societal expectations and misconceptions about masculinity.”
John thanked Perry for taking the lead locally on the awareness effort.
“I have often said, working at the statehouse, I see a lot of different counties and regions and districts around the state. We are truly blessed in Richland County to have elected officials, community leaders and agencies who come together and work together whenever we see an issue,” John said.
Perry credited Robert Beatty, president of the Roseland Neighborhood Watch Group, for advocating for sexual abuse victims.
“He first approached me and some others in the city about bringing more awareness to (sexual abuse), particularly men who have been sexually abused,” the mayor said.
“We want to make sure that everyone who has had that unfortunate circumstance in their lives be aware of all the ways they can get help in the community. But he brought to light that there is this kind of stigma that goes along particularly with male victims and Robert has been a passionate advocate for that.”
Beatty, who attended the meeting Tuesday, said it’s time to support men who’ve been sexually abused.
“The only way to do that … you have got to make some noise. It’s been harsh at times, but it’s paying off,” he said. “I know there are quite (a lot) of people … men … that I have spoken to that are not able to be here today.
“But they will see this (proclamation) and they will know it’s something the city is working on,” Beatty said. “My hat’s off to everyone who has been a part of this. I think 2-1-1 is going to be very helpful.”
