Proclamation
Sexual Assault Awareness Month- April 2026
WHEREAS, April marks Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) - a time to honor 25 years of progress and recommit to creating safer communities for all. This year’s theme, “25 Years Strong: Looking Back, Moving Forward,” celebrates the resilience of survivors and the communities that have worked for change; and WHEREAS, for 25 years, SAAM has supported survivors, raised awareness, and inspired action to prevent sexual assault, abuse, and harassment. As we reflect on how far we have come, we also recognize the work that lies ahead; and WHEREAS, prevention starts with all of us. It is in how we support one another, practice consent, and create spaces rooted in care and respect. When we act with intention, we move closer to a future free from violence; and WHEREAS, we honor the survivors who have shared their stories and the advocates who have led the way. Their courage reminds us that prevention is possible and that each of us has a role to play; and WHEREAS, as we look to the next 25 years, we renew our commitment to building a future free from sexual violence. Together, we can continue to strengthen prevention, support healing, and create communities where everyone feels safe and valued; and WHEREAS, statistics show:
Most women and men across all sexual identities who experienced contact sexual violence reported that the person who harmed them was someone they knew (Chen, et al., 2023).
Over 53% of women and over 29% of men reported experiencing contact sexual violence (Chen, et al., 2023). 1 in 5 male victims reported only male perpetrators, 1 in 2 had only female perpetrators, and about 1 in 6 had both male and female perpetrators (Chen, et al., 2023).
More than 1 and 4 non-Hispanic Black women (29%) in the United States were raped in their lifetime (Basile et al., 2022). 1 in 3 Hispanic women (34.8%) reported unwanted sexual contact in their lifetime (Basile et al., 2022).
More than 4 in 5 American Indian and Alaska Native women (84.3%) have experienced violence in their lifetime (Rosay, 2016).
32.9% of adults with intellectual disabilities have experienced sexual violence (Tomsa et al., 2021). 47% of all transgender people have been sexually assaulted at some point in their lives (James et al., 2016); and WHEREAS, 25 years strong. Every voice matters. Every action counts. By standing in solidarity, we can build a future free from sexual violence and create a world where everyone is safe, valued, and respected; NOW THEREFORE, I, Jason Godeke, Mayor of the City of Fort Bragg, on behalf of the entire City Council, do hereby proclaim April 2026 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in the City of Fort Bragg and encourage all residents to join in supporting survivors, strengthening prevention efforts, and creating a community where everyone is safe, valued, and respected.
SIGNED this 13th day of April 2026
JASON GODEKE, Mayor
ATTEST:
Diana Paoli, City Clerk
No. 18-2026
Basile, K. C., Smith, S. G., Kresnow, M., Khatiwada S., & Leemis, R. W. (2022). The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey: 2016/2017 report on sexual violence. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/nisvs/nisvsReportonSexualViolence.pdf Chen, J., Khatiwada, S., Chen, M. S., Smith, S. G., Leemis, R. W., Friar, N., Basile, K. C., and Kresnow, M. (2023). The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS) 2016/2017: Report on Victimization by Sexual Identity. Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/nisvs/nisvsReportonSexualIdentity.pdf James, S. E., Herman, J. L., Rankin, S., Keisling, M., Mottet, L., & Anafi, M. (2016). The report of the 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey. National Center for Transgender Equality. https://transequality.org/sites/default/files/docs/usts/USTS-Full-Report-Dec17.pdf Rosay, A. B. (2016, September). Violence against American Indian and Alaska Native women and men,. NIJ Journal, 277. National Institute of Justice. http://nij.gov/journals/277/Pages/violence-againstamerican-indians-alaska-natives.aspx Tomsa, R., Gutu, S., Cojocaru, D., Gutiérrez-Bermejo, B., Flores, N., & Jenaro, C. (2021). Prevalence of sexual abuse in adults with intellectual disability: