The tragedy of sexual assault and child abuse, the courage of those who survive it and possible ways to prevent it will be highlighted during presentations across the North Olympic Peninsula this month, with three events set for this weekend.
Jefferson County Public Health, and several community partners, have developed “Our Kids: Our Business,” a social awareness and prevention campaign featuring measures individuals, organizations, agencies and businesses can take to prevent child abuse and sexual assault.
Events are planned throughout the month.
History Hunt
On Saturday, the Jefferson County Historical Society will host a Museum History Hunt from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Prizes will be given for completing the history game. The event is free for children.
In Port Angeles and Sequim, members of Readers Theater Plus will read excerpts from two Sequim authors today and Saturday.
Barbara Richard, author of the trilogy Dancing on His Grave, Walking Wounded and Chasing Ghosts, along with Dauna Cole, author of A Shattered Mind, will answer questions and autograph books at both venues.
Today’s reading will be at 6:30 p.m. the Port Angeles Senior Center, 328 E. Seventh St.
Saturday’s event will be at 6:30 p.m. at the Sequim Faith Lutheran Church, 382 W. Cedar St.
Both are sponsored by Healthy Families of Clallam County. Both are free, but donations will be accepted.
Healthy Families also will sponsor the screening of the documentary “Rape Is” and a follow-up question-and-answer session with Healthy Families therapist Ann Marie Emineth on April 27.
The screening — which is free, with donations accepted — will be at 6 p.m. at Healthy Families, 1210 E. Front St.
For more information or to RSVP, phone 360-452-3811.
East Jefferson County
Next weekend, on Saturday, April 17, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and Jeffcom 911 Dispatch Center at the Justice Center at 79 Elkins Road in Port Hadlock will host an open house from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Visitors will be able to meet Sheriff Tony Hernandez and the deputies, check out the emergency vehicles, dust for fingerprints and tour the Sheriff’s Office and Jeffcom 911 Dispatch Center.
Balloons, badges, age-appropriate coloring books, child-identification and DNA kits, and treats will be provided.
The following day, Sunday, April 18, The Food Co-op and Sound Experience will host “Our Co-Op Kids,” an Earth Day festival celebrating boats, planes, worms and fish.
The festival will be from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Food Co-op parking lot, 414 Kearney St., Port Townsend.
Also participating will be representatives of the Northwest Maritime Center, Wooden Boat Foundation, Port Townsend Sea Scouts, Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding, Port Townsend Marine Science Center, the schooner Martha, Community Boat Project, Port Townsend Aero Museum, Tri-Area RC Flyers Club and the Tri-Area School Garden/Compost Program.
Other events
• Crime Victims Service Center will host a free Family Fun Fest at the Mountain View Commons, 1919 Blaine St., Port Townsend, on Saturday, April 24.
The festival will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Children and families will be able to learn about health and safety and community resources.
Free child identification kits will be available.
• Port Townsend High School Student Task Force will sponsor a Town Hall Meeting on Tuesday, April 27, to address community strategies to reduce underage drinking.
The meeting will be at 6 p.m. at the Port Townsend High School cafeteria, 1500 Van Ness St.
• Dove House Advocacy Services will sponsor a “Walk a Mile In Her Shoes” event at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 28.
The walk will attempt to bring awareness to the issues of sexual assault and rape.
It will begin at Rotary Park, next to US Bank, which is at 1239 Water St., Port Townsend.
Men are encouraged to walk in women’s shoes. Women and children can take part as well.
Preregistration forms are available at the Food Co-op, Jefferson Healthcare and Dove House.
Sponsors of the walk are Jefferson Healthcare hospital, the Food Co-op and the Northwest Maritime Center.
The Port Townsend Light House Lion’s Club will provide refreshments.
This event is part of a national men’s movement to bring an end to sexual violence.
• The Boiler Room will feature events throughout the month of April.
For detailed information, visit www.ptbr.org/calendar or phone 360-379-8247.
Events in both counties are in recognition of National Child Abuse Prevention and Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April.
