R 245
2015 -- S 0859
Enacted 04/30/2015

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

     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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LC002611
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