11-R186

2011 -- H 6010

Enacted 04/05/11

 

 

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

PROCLAIMING APRIL, 2011, TO BE "SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

     

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Ajello, Mattiello, Cimini, Williams, and Hearn

     Date Introduced: March 30, 2011

 

 

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

entire society; and 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 a family member, significant other, neighbor, friend, or co-worker of a

victim/survivor; and

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

they are 18 years old; and

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

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

experienced sexual assault by the time they complete college; and

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

to prevent sexual assault and how to support survivors; 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 violence

responsible for their actions; and

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

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

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

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

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

victims; and

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

be it

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

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

violence, hereby proclaims April 5, 2011, to be a "Day of Action" during the 2011 Sexual Assault

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

ending sexual violence; and be it further

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

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

assault services.

     

=======

LC02156

=======