2012 -- H 8061

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LC02381

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2012

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H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING APRIL, 2012 TO BE "SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH" IN THE

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

     

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Ajello, Cimini, Tanzi, Ruggiero, and Walsh

     Date Introduced: April 10, 2012

     Referred To: House read and passed

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     WHEREAS, Sexual assault is a despicable crime that affects victims, families, and our

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entire society; and tragically, crimes that are sexually violent in nature continue to rank among

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the most prevalent in our society and create some of the most widespread public health problems

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in our communities; and

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     WHEREAS, Sexual assault affects every child and adult in Rhode Island as a

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victim/survivor or a family member, significant other, neighbor, friend, or co-worker of a

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victim/survivor; and

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     WHEREAS, One in four girls and one in six boys will be a victim of sexual abuse before

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they are 18 years old; and

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     WHEREAS, Rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment impact our campus

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communities, as seen by statistics indicating that one in five college-aged women will have

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experienced sexual assault by the time they complete college; and

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     WHEREAS, We must work together to educate our community about what can be done

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to prevent sexual assault and how to support survivors; and

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     WHEREAS, With leadership, dedication, and encouragement, there is compelling

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evidence that we can be successful in reducing sexual violence in Rhode Island through

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prevention education, increased awareness, and holding perpetrators who commit acts of violence

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responsible for their actions; and

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     WHEREAS, Volunteers and community providers in Rhode Island are working to

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provide a continuum of support or care to sexual assault survivors through the Victims of Crime

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Helpline, counseling, support groups, advocacy, medical care, and education; and

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     WHEREAS, The State of Rhode Island seeks to improve services for victims/survivors of

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sexual assault and prevent future sexual assault through public awareness and services for

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victims; and

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     WHEREAS, We hold forth a vision of a community free from violence; now, therefore

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be it

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     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

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Providence Plantations, in recognition of the importance of the ongoing fight against sexual

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violence, hereby proclaims April 10, 2012, to be a "Day of Action" during the 2012 Sexual

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Assault Awareness Month. We furthermore urge all the citizens of the state to take an active role

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in ending sexual violence; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

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transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Day One, the state's primary provider of sexual

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assault services.

     

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LC02381

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H8061