FARMINGTON – Sexual Assault Victims Emergency Services (SAVES), Franklin County’s sexual-assault crisis response center, received recognition from the State House of Representatives and Senate on Jan. 22 for its 25 years of service.

In an evening ceremony as part of the SAVES open house, State Rep. Tom Saviello, with a proxy for State Rep. Tim Carter, presented SAVES with a certificate of recognition on behalf of the Legislature.

Saviello spoke before an assembly of more than 30. “[The certificate has been] signed by lots of folks, including [Attorney General] Janet [Mills] and Sen. Bryant and Sen. Gooley,” he said. “We congratulate Sexual Assault Victims Emergency Services and extend our appreciation.”

SAVES Executive Director Judy Rawlings accepted the award. “We’re so pleased,” Rawlings said of the certificate, which now hangs at a central point in the SAVES office. “Receiving this recognition from the Legislature affirms our mutual partnership in working to prevent violence within our communities.”

To learn more about SAVES or to get involved, contact SAVES at 778-9522 or visit www.savesrapecrisis.org.

Those who would like information or support related to any type of sexual violence should call the 24-hour confidential helpline at 1-800-871-7741. Cell phone users in Franklin County may call 1-866-740-9516. TTY is available for the deaf and hard of hearing at 1-800-458-5599.