The Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs (KASAP) and Cumberland River Behavioral Health Victims Services program have announced 34th Judicial Circuit Commonwealth’s Attorney Ronnie Bowling as a recipient of the BRAVE Award, a new recognition honoring individuals who go above and beyond in supporting survivors of sexual violence.
The BRAVE Award, which stands for Believe, Respect, Advocate, Validate, and Empower, was created by KASAP to celebrate those who exemplify these values in their work and advocacy. Each year, KASAP regional centers select honorees who have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to survivors, ensuring their voices are heard and their rights upheld.
“Ronnie Bowling has made a lasting impact in our community by tirelessly advocating for survivors and working to create a culture of support and empowerment,” said Cumberland River Behavioral Health Victims Services Director Cecelia White. “His dedication to believing survivors, advocating for justice, and fostering change is truly inspiring.”
Bowling has been the prosecuting attorney for Whitley and McCreary counties for the past six years.
“During that time, he has prosecuted many cases of sexual assault/abuse which had not previously been attempted. His contributions to victims have been invaluable in ensuring that perpetrators of sex crimes are held accountable for their crimes. His successful prosecutions of sex crimes include: 100% conviction rate in crimes against children, forty year sentence for incestuous father raping his own daughter; thirty five year sentence for father performing oral sex on his own daughter; thirty year sentence for grandfather performing oral sex on his granddaughter; fifteen year sentence for serial fondler of church children (elderly defendant), twelve year prison sentence for man who had raped girl who passed out a party and had no recollection of the events at all, life in prison without the possibility of parole for man who raped and murdered his girlfriends’ 3-year-old daughter,” White wrote in the nomination letter.
“Additionally, his office has had several convictions for statutory rape, date rape, sex abuse, etc. Those are all 5-10 year sentences. Anyone, who was charged, has been convicted.”
In recognition of this achievement, Bowling will be honored at the Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM) Kickoff Event on March 27 at The Haycraft in Elizabethtown. This event will bring together advocates, allies, and community members to highlight the importance of supporting survivors and preventing sexual violence.
KASAP and Cumberland River Behavioral Health commend Bowling and his staff for their extraordinary efforts and encourage the community to join in celebrating their contributions.
The Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs (KASAP) is the coalition of Kentucky’s 13 regional rape crisis centers, working to end sexual violence and ensure that survivors have access to comprehensive, compassionate services.
