2015 -- S 0859

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LC002611

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING APRIL, 2015, TO BE "SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH" IN

THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Senators Nesselbush, Paiva Weed, Sheehan, Conley, and Lombardi

     Date Introduced: April 30, 2015

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

     WHEREAS, Sexual Assault is a serious problem in the United States; a problem that

indelibly changes lives; and

     WHEREAS, According to the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey of

2011, nearly 1 in 5 women in the United States have been raped at some time in their lives; and

     WHEREAS, According to the Campus Sexual Assault Study of 2007, sexual assault is a

particular problem on college campuses, with 1 in 5 women reporting being sexually assaulted

while in college; and

     WHEREAS, According to the Medical University of South Carolina, National Crime

Victims Research & Treatment Center, reporting rates for campus sexual assault are very low;

and college survivors suffer high rates of PTSD, depression, and drug or alcohol abuse, which can

hamper their ability to succeed in school; and

     WHEREAS, According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

(USCDCP), in a 2013 nationwide survey, 7.3 percent of high school students reported having

been forced to have sex. More female than male students reported experiencing forced sex in

their lifetimes; and

     WHEREAS, During Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), we seek:

     - To increase public awareness and call attention to the facts about sexual violence and

prevention;

     - To do something bold and different to significantly reduce the incidence of sexual

assault;

     - To promote resources to support survivors; and

     - To educate people and communities regarding harmful attitudes and actions that allow

sexual assault to continue unabated; and

     WHEREAS, Rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment seriously harm individuals and

our communities; and

     WHEREAS, This year, the focus of Sexual Assault Awareness Month is preventing

sexual assault on college campuses; and

     WHEREAS, Citizens, government entities, organizations and all members of our society

need to join together and join forces to actively prevent sexual violence; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby proclaims the month of April, 2015, to be "Sexual Assault Awareness Month" in our state.

We furthermore join Day One, a Rhode Island Sexual Assault and Trauma resource, to urge

advocacy and action across the state to prevent sexual violence; 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 Peg Langhammer, Executive Director of Day

One.

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