In observance of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, St. Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital is lighting up in teal and working with Harmony House to call attention to the need to improve prevention and assist victims in our community. 

Harmony House is a non-profit organization offering specialized support to child abuse victims and adult survivors of sexual assault across the northern judicial circuit, including Franklin, Hart, Madison, Elbert, and Oglethorpe counties. To learn more about their services, visit their website: What We Do | Harmony House (harmonyhousecacsac.org). 

Sacred Heart Hospital offers immediate emergency care and facilitates community access to the support services provided by Harmony House, benefiting all individuals affected, including adults and children. 

“Raising awareness about sexual assault in our communities is vital because sexual violence affects everyone and can happen to anyone,” said Wendy Risner, outreach/volunteer coordinator for the Harmony House Child Advocacy Center.

“Sexual Assault Awareness Month raises visibility about sexual assault and shares how it can be prevented, whether that's through education about healthy sexuality, consent, or bystander interventions. We at Harmony House welcome our community to learn more about prevention and services for victims here in the Northern Judicial Circuit,” Risner said. 

“At St. Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital, it’s part of our mission and core values to partner with organizations like Harmony House to be a transforming, healing presence in our community and to stand with those who are most vulnerable,” said Regina Hooper, Associate Chief Nursing Officer and a member of the Harmony House board of directors. “We are proud to light up our hospital in teal and to work with Harmony House to provide care to all who need it.”