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April 26, 2006
Florida Medical Clinic Foundation of Caring
Contact: Sheri Schwab, President
813. 783.9932
Sunrise Inc. of Pasco County
Contact: Penny Morrill, CEO
352. 521.3358
MEDIA ADVISORY
Sunrise Inc. Partners with Florida Medical Clinic Foundation to
Tackle Issues of Sexual Assault and Child Abuse
April is Sexual Assault
Awareness and Child Abuse Prevention Month
ZEPHYRHILLS, FLA. - There were 187 reported sexual assault cases in
Pasco County in 2005. While it is likely only twenty percent of cases
are reported to law enforcement authorities, the long-range effects
impact both individuals and families. To help provide community-based
solutions, Florida Medical Clinic's Foundation of Caring has teamed up
with Sunrise of Pasco County, Inc. to break ground for a
2,500-square-foot building.
Sunrise Inc., is East Pasco County’s only Domestic Violence and Sexual
Assault Center, providing a 24-hour hotline and a safe, non-violent
place for healing and planning a violence-free life. "Early intervention
of sexual abuse victims is critical to reducing long term psychological
and medical problems," said Penny Morrill, CEO of Sunrise.
"This is an issue of critical community significance and it is our
mission to raise awareness, work on prevention and provide confidential
counseling and support services," she said. “90 percent of reported
sexual assault victims are female and it is estimated that sixty percent
of sexual assault victims suffered childhood abuse.”
"The FMC Foundation of Caring stepped up to help tackle this very
serious issue," said Sheri Schwab, Foundation President. "As community
healthcare providers, our physicians and staff recognize the far
reaching implications of sexual assault and child abuse. We emphatically
want to be a part of the solution," she said. “We need this building in
our community and the Foundation of Caring will present a check to
Sunrise to underwrite a portion of construction costs,” she said.
Construction of the building is estimated to cost $212,000, with
completion expected by late fall. The facility will include office space
for sexual assault outreach counselors, rape prevention educators and
domestic violence outreach counselors. It will serve both victims who
need individual and/or group counseling and those who may not be
residents of the Sunrise 28-bed shelter.
A ground-breaking ceremony for the Sunrise Outreach Building is
scheduled for Thurs., Apr. 27 at 11:30 AM, rain or shine. A light lunch
will be served. The public and media are invited to attend. Please RSVP
to the Sunrise Office at 352.521.3358.
Ed. Note: For more information on sexual assault and child abuse issues
contact Penny Morrill. 352.521.3358.
For more information on the FMC Foundation of Caring, contact Sheri
Schwab, 813. 783.9932.
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