GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) — When you see the color teal this April, remember that sexual violence has no place in our community.
Paint the Town Teal is a campaign through the Family Services of Northeast Wisconsin’s Sexual Assault Center in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The goal of the campaign is to raise awareness about sexual assault prevention, support survivors, and promote community involvement in the fight against sexual violence. Family Services of Northeast Wisconsin’s Sexual Assault Center is partnering with multiple agencies, including Wise Women Gathering Place and We All Rise: African American Resource Center, for the campaign.
In 2022, the Sexual Assault Center in Green Bay served over 1,400 victims. The center provides free, confidential support to survivors 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Some of these services include emotional support, accompanied hospital visits, assistance with legal processes, and more.
Paint the Town Teal is a community-led initiative that involves painting teal ribbons on the front of businesses and lighting up buildings and landmarks with the color teal; as the color teal is symbolic of sexual assault awareness. Over 30 local businesses will display teal ribbons in their windows including Daily Buzz, Green Bay Police Department, Crystal Café, Luna Café, and more.
The Brown County Tavern League has also joined this initiative. Over 20 local taverns will be displaying teal ribbons in their windows and have information posted and available on where individuals can go for help if they are a victim of sexual assault.
“This initiative seeks to send a powerful message of solidarity to survivors,” said Holli Fisher, Director of the Sexual Assault Center. “And reminds everyone that sexual violence is not acceptable in our community.”
Additionally, the courthouses in Brown, Door, Oconto, and Marinette Counties will each display a 3-foot tall wooden teal ribbon in their front lawns, and the downtown Green Bay bridges will be lit blue and teal on the evenings of April 1 and April 11.
To learn more about the Sexual Assault Center, visit familyservicesnew.org/sexual-assault-center/.
