WHEREAS, Hennepin County is committed to enhancing and protecting the quality of life of all of its citizens, including and especially its most vulnerable and marginalized citizens; and
WHEREAS, Hennepin County has formed a collaborative effort called the SMARTeam: the Sexual assault Multidisciplinary Action Response Team, consisting of members of law enforcement, medical forensics, advocacy, prosecution, and corrections communities; and
WHEREAS, Hennepin County believes community action, partnership, and collaboration are crucial elements of sexual assault prevention; and
WHEREAS, according to recent statistics, nearly half of all the sexual assault medical examinations performed in Minnesota were through Hennepin County’s Sexual Assault Resource Services (SARS); and
WHEREAS, in 2016 SARS provided 850 sexual assault forensic exams; and
WHEREAS, the SMARTeam and all its partners throughout Hennepin County, help women and men affected by sexual violence, by providing a coordinated response that is victim centered, culturally inclusive and trauma informed; and
WHEREAS, the Hennepin County SMARTeam is releasing its first Sexual Assault Response Protocol, after seven years of interviews, research, and fully assessing the Hennepin County community’s needs; and
WHEREAS, in recognition of its Protocol Release, the SMARTeam is inviting all of Hennepin County to use the Protocol and participate in the improvement of sexual assault response by the criminal justice and victim support system; and
WHEREAS, in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the SMARTeam is hosting a reception on April 12th on the 20th Floor Bridge of the Hennepin County Government Center, starting around 9 AM with a press conference at 10 AM; and
WHEREAS, Hennepin County authorizes the Hennepin County SMARTeam’s press conference on April 12th, and requests the Communications and Facility departments make the appropriate arrangements; therefore