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Vice Mayor Greg Stanton's
North Central News Column
June 2003
Phoenix proud to be home of one-of-a-kind domestic violence memorial
Domestic violence and sexual abuse hurts too many people in our community. The numbers are staggering: one in four women will be a victim of domestic violence in their lifetime, while one in six women will be a victim of sexual assault. Often victims suffer in silence needlessly feeling that they are alone. It is essential to raise awareness in our community about this type of violence.
The city of Phoenix, through the leadership of my friend, District 3 Councilwoman Peggy Bilsten, has been at the forefront of providing services to victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence through the Family Advocacy Center. The Family Advocacy Center provides counseling, housing, and legal resources to victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence. In addition to the services offered through the Family Advocacy Center, I'm proud that the city of Phoenix is one sponsoring the International Sexual Abuse and Domestic Violence Memorial (ISAM) in Steele Indian School Park, located at 300 East Indian School Road. ISAM will remember, honor, and recognize the millions of victims, veterans, and survivors of sexual abuse and domestic violence throughout the world. It is the first and only memorial of its kind in the world and it is appropriate to locate this memorial in the heart of our city.
This beautiful and symbolic memorial is a result of a 30-year effort led by Dr. Maureen Jones-Ryan, executive director and founder of Sexual Assault Recovery Institute (SARI), and became a reality through a partnership with the Phoenix City Council, City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department, the Phoenix Women's Commission, the International Association of Firefighters' Local 493, Motorola Computer Group and Today's Arizona Woman Magazine.
The memorial, dedicated in April, is not only a beautiful place where people can visit, with its understated wall spiraling into a center meditation area, but will also be the site of the Biennial International Sexual Abuse and Domestic Violence Conference to be held every other April, beginning in 2004.
This memorial sends a tangible message that the international campaign against sexual abuse and domestic violence has been formally declared and that its veterans, victims, and survivors of violence of all kinds are no less regarded than those of other such heroic actions and campaigns against other types of ill will. ISAM sponsors include individuals, corporations, and organizations who lend their names to show solidarity in the worldwide movement to end sexual abuse, domestic violence, and all violence. Their goal is representation from every nation on the globe. This memorial brings pride and distinction to our city and the park and provides a place of peace and contentment for the victims it honors.
If you would like your name or the name of your organization added to the sponsor list please e-mail at: info@SARIISAM.ORG or write to SARI at 717 West Coolidge St., Phoenix, AZ 85013. For more information about SARI, go to sexualassaultrecovery.org.
If you have any questions about the city's military leave policy, call 602- 262-7278. As always, if you have comments or questions, please feel free to call me anytime at 602-262-7491 or send e-mail to greg.stanton@phoenix.gov.
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