P R O C L A M A T I O N
DECLARING APRIL AS SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH
WHEREAS, Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) calls attention to the fact that sexual violence is widespread and impacts every person in the community. SAAM aims to raise public awareness about sexual violence and educate communities about how to prevent it; and WHEREAS, systems of oppression such as racism, sexism, classism, heterosexism, ageism, ableism, etc. contribute to higher rates of sexual harassment, assault, and abuse; and WHEREAS, more than 4 in 5 American Indian and Alaska Native women (84.3%) have experienced violence in their lifetime (Rosay, 2016); and WHEREAS, 1 in 3 Hispanic women (34.8%) reported unwanted sexual contact in their lifetime (Basile et al., 2022); and
WHEREAS, 32.9% of adults with intellectual disabilities have experienced sexual violence (Tomsa et al., 2021); and
WHEREAS, 47% of all transgender people have been sexually assaulted at some point in their lives (James et al., 2016); 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 and increased awareness; 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, and how to help survivors connect with services.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that I, Bernie Norvell, Mayor of the City of Fort Bragg, join not only Project Sanctuary, but advocates and communities across the country in taking action to prevent sexual violence by proclaiming April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
SIGNED this 10th day of April, 2023
BERNIE NORVELL, Mayor
ATTEST:
Cristal Muñoz, Acting City Clerk
No. 05-2023