Over 1,000 orange flags intended to show prevalence of sexual assault

Photos by Tom Rivers: These flags on the lawn in front of the Pullman Memorial Universalist Church are up in April during Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

Staff Reports Posted 11 April 2022 at 1:14 pm

ALBION – For the eighth year, RESTORE is placing displays around the region to raise awareness for sexual violence.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, which gives RESTORE and rape crisis programs nationwide a spotlight on sexual violence and the resources people can turn to for help.

In each of five counties RESTORE serves there is a display of 1,183 small orange flags, including in front of the Pullman Memorial Universalist Church in Albion.

The flags represent the national statistic that an American is sexually assaulted every 73 seconds, or 1,183 every day. The displays also include explanatory signage and RESTORE’s 24-hour hotline number.

RESTORE is partnering with multiple agencies across the region for the flag displays.

In Orleans County, signage will be posted at the Pullman Memorial Universalist Church in Albion.
In Genesee County, the flags will be displayed on the lawn of the Genesee County Courts Facility in Batavia.
In Wyoming County, the flags will be hosted at the Government Center in Warsaw through collaboration with the Wyoming County District Attorney’s Office.
In Livingston County, RESTORE’s display has moved to a new home at the lawn of the County Courthouse in Geneseo.
In Monroe County, flags are hosted at the Planned Parenthood health center on University Avenue in Rochester.

The flags remain on display throughout the month of April. Additional displays travel across the five-county region, hosted by the colleges with whom RESTORE partners for advocacy, education and support.

For assistance call the 24-hour hotline Genesee, Livingston, Orleans & Wyoming counties at 1-800-527-1757 and in Monroe County at 1-585-546-2777.