| R 183 |
| 2021 -- S 0820 Enacted 04/13/2021 |
| S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N |
| PROCLAIMING APRIL OF 2021, TO BE "SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND |
| Introduced By: Senator Tiara T. Mack |
| Date Introduced: April 13, 2021 |
| WHEREAS, Sexual Assault is a despicable crime that affects victims, families, and our |
| entire society. Tragically, crimes that are sexually violent in nature continue to rank among the |
| most prevalent in our society and create some of the most widespread public health problems in |
| our communities; and |
| WHEREAS, Sexual assault affects every child and adult in Rhode Island as a |
| victim/survivor, or as a family member, significant other, neighbor, friend, or co-worker of a |
| victim/survivor; and |
| WHEREAS, In the United States, nearly one in five women and one in 67 men have been |
| raped at some time in their lives. Additionally, one in six boys and one in four girls is sexually |
| abused before the age of eighteen; and |
| WHEREAS, The year 2021 marks the 20th anniversary of Sexual Assault Awareness |
| Month and the theme of this year’s campaign is "We Can Build Safe Online Spaces." The |
| campaign asks all of us to create online spaces that are built on the foundational values of |
| practicing consent, keeping kids safe, and supporting survivors of sexual abuse; and |
| WHEREAS, We all must work together to educate our communities about what can be |
| done to prevent sexual assault, and how we can better support survivors with increased access to |
| medical care, counseling and support groups; and |
| WHEREAS, With leadership, dedication, and encouragement, there is compelling |
| evidence that we can be successful in reducing sexual violence in Rhode Island through |
| prevention education, increased awareness, and holding perpetrators who commit acts of sexual |
| violence responsible for their actions; and |
| WHEREAS, It is essential to endeavor to hold forth a vision of a community free from all |
| forms of violence, including sexual violence; now, therefore be it |
| RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby proclaims April, 2021, |
| to be "Sexual Assault Awareness Month"; and be it further |
| RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to |
| transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Ms. Caitlin Green of the National Sexual |
| Violence Resource Center. |
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| LC002683 |
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