*Missouri Governor ? Michael L. Parson*

Office of Communications

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*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*

April 5, 2022

*Governor Parson Orders Capitol Dome Lighted Teal in Honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month*

*(JEFFERSON CITY, MO)* ??Governor Mike Parson has ordered the Missouri State Capitol dome lighted teal beginning at sunset on Wednesday, April 6, 2022, until sunrise on Thursday, April 7, 2022, in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.?

?We light the Capitol teal to call attention to Sexual Assault Awareness Month and in solidarity with all who have been victims of sexual assault and those who bravely fight against this horrendous crime,? *Governor Parson and First Lady Teresa Parson*?said. ?By being responsive to victims in our criminal justice system and throughout society, we not only show them our support, we help prevent criminals from assaulting again and hurting additional victims.?

An American is sexually assaulted about every 68 seconds, and approximately one in every six American women has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape in her lifetime, according to the U.S. Justice Department Bureau of Justice Statistics.

In 2020, Governor Parson signed Senate Bill 569, which included the Justice for Survivors Act and the Sexual Assault Survivors? Bill of Rights and established the Missouri Rights of Victims of Sexual Assault Task Force. In December 2021, the task force unanimously agreed to its final report with nine recommendations, including further protecting survivor privacy in public or court records and increasing funding to crime laboratories to expedite processing of sexual assault kits.?

If you or someone you know is in need of care or support, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 (HOPE). For more information on available?resources, please visit the Missouri Department of?Public Safety's resources for crime victims webpage [ [link removed] ].?

Pictures of the dome?lighting?will be available?on Governor Parson's?*Flickr?page* [ [link removed] ].?

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*Contact: Kelli R. Jones*

Communications Director

Work:? 573-751-0765

Mobile: 573-508-9072

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.governor.mo.gov

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This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Office of Governor Michael L. Parson ? PO Box 720?? Jefferson City, MO 65102 ? (573) 751-3222 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]