2015 -- S 1002

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LC002896

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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

RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THE RHODE ISLAND STATEWIDE TASK FORCE ON

SEXUAL ASSAULT TO PROVIDE A REPORT ON ITS FINDINGS AND

RECOMMENDATIONS TO INCREASE THE REPORTING AND DECREASE THE

INSTANCES OF SEXUAL ASSAULTS IN OUR STATE

     Introduced By: Senators Nesselbush, Crowley, Sosnowski, Lynch, and Gallo

     Date Introduced: June 18, 2015

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

     WHEREAS, According to the 2014 "Uniform Crime Report – Crime in Rhode Island,"

the reports of sexual assault in our state saw only a minimal reduction over the course of 2013

through 2014, and it continues to be one of the most destructive crimes in our society; and

     WHEREAS, While awareness of the issue of sexual assault has grown and efforts to

assist victims are commendable, the rate of assaults in this state and across the nation remains

devastatingly high, with someone being sexually assaulted every two minutes in the United

States; and

     WHEREAS, In Rhode Island, it is estimated that one in eight women has been sexually

assaulted during her lifetime, and one in five women experiences sexual assault while in college.

More than 59 percent of all sexual assaults go unreported, and on college campuses, more than 90

percent of sexual assault victims do not report the assault; and

     WHEREAS, The economic cost for each sexual assault in this country is estimated at

$110,000, with the total economic cost of rape estimated to be $127 billion a year in the United

States according to the "Economic Costs of Sexual Assault"; and

     WHEREAS, Sexual assault is a significant and detrimental problem that indelibly

changes lives, leading to harmful physical, mental, and emotional health outcomes that can last a

lifetime for its victims; and

     WHEREAS, To find better solutions and pathways to reduce and eventually eradicate

sexual assault, abuse, and violence in Rhode Island, a statewide task force has been established,

consisting of members from state and local law enforcement and prosecution agencies, advocacy

groups such as Day One, and professionals from social services, medical and higher education

fields; now, therefore be it

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

hereby respectfully requests the Rhode Island Statewide Task Force To Address Adult Sexual

Assault report its findings and recommendations regarding how this state can increase the

reporting and decrease the incidence of sexual assaults as well as fully support victims of this

crime, and said Report to be presented at a Hearing of the Rhode Island Senate (or a committee

thereof) on or before January 26, 2016; and be it further

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

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Governor Gina Raimondo, and Peg

Langhammer, Executive Director of Day One.

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LC002896

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