Hamilton County, TN – Earlier this morning, Hamilton County Sheriff Austin Garrett joined with Hamilton County Chief Operating Officer David Roddy and Chattanooga Police Chief Celeste Murphy to officially recognize April 2024 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in Hamilton County. A joint proclamation was read during the event on behalf of County Mayor Weston Wamp and City Mayor Tim Kelley.

Today’s press conference was sponsored by the Partnership for Families, Children, and Adults and the Children’s Advocacy Center. Speakers included Kristen Pavlik McCallie, the Executive Director of the Children’s Advocacy Center and Kevin Hyde, the Chief Executive Officer of the Partnership for Families, Children and Adults.

Mr. Hyde particularly discussed the many services and programs offered by the Partnership and how they are making a difference in the lives of victims of sexual violence. The Partnership’s Victim Support Services seek to stop the cycle of violence by providing the tools and resources for individuals and families to move forward after traumatic experiences such as sexual assault, domestic violence, and human trafficking.

If you are the victim of sexual violence or if you need assistance, please contact 911 or the Partnership’s

Crisis Hotline at 423-755-2700.