P R O C L A M A T I O N
DECLARING APRIL AS SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH
WHEREAS, sexual assault is an intolerable violent crime with public health implications that can affect people of every age, race, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, class, and religion; and
WHEREAS, rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment harm our community, and statistics show that one in five women and one in 67 men will be sexually assaulted at some point in their lives (Smith et al., 2017); and
WHEREAS, not one person, organization, agency or community can eliminate sexual assault on their own—with leadership, dedication, and encouragement, there is compelling evidence that we can be successful in reducing sexual violence in the City of Fort Bragg through prevention education, increased awareness, and holding perpetrators who commit acts of violence accountable for their actions; and WHEREAS, Project Sanctuary’s mission is to provide trauma informed, supportive services, by offering a 24-hour hotline to victims/survivors, responding to emergency calls, offering support and comfort during medical exams, criminal proceedings, and empowering those impacted by sexual assault to chart their own journey for healing; and
WHEREAS, ending sexual violence in the City of Fort Bragg means that we must strongly support the efforts of national, state, and local partners, and of every citizen to actively engage in public and private efforts, including conversations about what sexual violence is, how to prevent it, how to help survivors connect with services, and how every segment of our society can work together to better address sexual violence.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that I, Jessica Morsell-Haye, Vice Mayor of the City of Fort Bragg, on behalf of the entire City Council, join Project Sanctuary in the belief that all community members must be part of the solution to end sexual violence. Along with the United States Government and State of California, I do hereby proclaim April as “Sexual Assault Awareness Month.” SIGNED this 11th day of April, 2022
JESSICA MORSELL-HAYE, Vice Mayor
ATTEST:
June Lemos, MMC, City Clerk
No. 04-2022