HOUGHTON — Strut your pup virtually or in-person in Houghton for Dial Help’s latest event! April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month – not an easy topic to talk about, but raising awareness about it can create safer communities. Because unfortunately, sexual assault happens everywhere, including here in the Copper Country. Resources like Dial Help’s Victim Services program are available to offer free and confidential support.

“Teal is the color for sexual assault awareness, and we want to paint our communities teal for April,” said Paige Setter-Hallwachs, Sexual Assault Coordinator at Dial Help. “We wanted to have something virtual and in-person so everyone can be included, whether they’re comfortable being around others or not.”

Contact Paige at psetter-hallwachs@dialhelp.org to get a free teal bandana for your pup, for virtual or in-person participants. Contact Paige to register for the in-person event as well. It starts at 6 p.m. on Apr. 21 at Dial Help’s downtown office, with masks required; families/household groups will walk together and be socially distanced from each other. To participate virtually, post a pic of yourself and your pet on social media with the hashtag #CopperCountrySAAM any time between Apr. 21 and 25.

Dial Help also hosts a monthly virtual art therapy group for sexual assault survivors called TEAL (To Empower and Liberate). Learn more at www.dialhelp.org/events. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, reach out to Dial Help 24/7 by calling 800-562-7622 or 906-482-HELP; texting 90635NEEDS (906-356-3337); or chatting online at www.dialhelp.org. Victim services are funded by MI DHHS Division of Victim Services.