On behalf of the Zonta Club of the Coos Bay Area, a member of Zonta International, we would like to publicly thank Coos County Sheriff Gabe Fabrizio, Coos County District Attorney Jody Newby, retired District Attorney Paula Frasier, and their staffs for their investigation, arrests, and subsequent prosecution of six Coos County adults charged with various offenses involving child sexual abuse.

Zonta International has worked for more than 100 years to end all forms of violence against women and girls. We applaud these dedicated public servants for their hard work and commitment to protecting children and pursuing justice. We sincerely appreciate their efforts and service to our community.

More than 1 million women and girls in Oregon—more than half of the state’s female population—have experienced domestic violence or sexual assault in their lifetimes, according to state findings cited in the Count Her In report.

We invite our community to Join Zonta from November 25 through December 10 in observing the international 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign. Together, we can shed light on this local, statewide, and international issue, raise awareness, support survivors, and work toward a future free from violence against women and girls.

Thank you to those who work every day to protect our children, support survivors, and bring perpetrators to justice.

Joanne Griffeath

President, Zonta Club Coos Bay Area

Read the full feature here.