National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month Resolution

Resolution

 National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month

WHEREAS, sexual assault can affect individuals of any gender identity, sexual orientation, race, socio-economic status, religion, and any other demographic.  Sexual assault inflicts ongoing trauma upon survivors such as, but not limited to: severe depression, PTSD, substance use disorders, eating disorders, anxiety, homelessness, suicidal ideation, AND

WHEREAS, sexual assault is still gravely underreported.  Fear of being revictimized, societal retaliation, and self-blame are some of the reasons why survivors do not report the sexual assault, AND

WHEREAS, according to the United States Department of Justice Criminal Victimization survey, 734,630 people were sexually assaulted (threatened, attempted or completed) in the United States in 2018, AND

WHEREAS, according to the 2010 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey approximately 214,000 lesbian women and 1.5 million bisexual women have been sexually assaulted in their lifetime, AND

WHEREAS, according to the United States 2015 NISVS, 11 million women and 1.5 million men reported their first sexual assault encounter was prior to age 18, AND

WHEREAS, in 2001 Congress passed the 107th congressional bill designating the month of April as “National Sexual Assault Awareness Month,” AND

WHEREAS, every April since 2001, we as a nation are given the opportunity to (1) recognize the negative impact sexual assault has on our society, (2) express our full support to survivors of sexual assault, and (3) eliminate rape culture and sexual assault in our community through education and prevention, AND

WHEREAS,   free, confidential help for survivors of sexual assault is available at: Cortland YWCA- Aid to Victims of Violence (office: 607-753-3639; 24/7 crisis hotline: 607-756-6363) and the National Sexual Assault Hotline (1-800-656-4673), NOW THEREFORE LET IT BE

RESOLVED, that the Cortland County Legislature officially recognizes April 2021 to be “National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month”, AND BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED, that the Cortland County Legislature recognizes the importance of eliminating rape culture and sexual assault in Cortland County through education and prevention.  Moreover, the Legislature recognizes the negative impact sexual assault has on our community and the importance of public support for survivors of sexual assault, AND BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED, that the Cortland County Legislature urges Cortland County residents to observe “National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month” with appropriate programs and activities.