WHEREAS, Sexual assault and sexual violence affect millions of people in the United States every year; and
WHEREAS, Sexual assault is any crime involving an unwanted, forced, or coerced sexual contact, and sexual assault can be committed by a stranger or someone that the victim knows such as a friend, relative, or acquaintance; and
WHEREAS, More than 1 in 3 women, and nearly 1 in 4 men, experience some kind of sexual violence involving physical contact during their lifetime, and hundreds of thousands of Americans are sexually assaulted or raped every year; and
WHEREAS, Many sexual assaults and rapes go unreported beca use of the fear of retaliation, shame, or distrust of law enforcement; and
WHEREAS, Centro La Familia Advocacy Services, Inc. is a local community -based nonprofit that provides a full range of services to victims of sexual assault including help with reporting crimes to law enforcement, filing requests for restraining orders, assistance with visas, personal support in the court system, interpreters, and referrals for counseling; and
WHEREAS, Centro La Familia Advocacy Services, Inc., has experienced a sharp increase in sexual assault clients and cases during the COVID-19 pandemic, with 107 in 2020, 210 in 2021, and 166 to date in 2022; and
WHEREAS, April 2022 is Sexual Assault Awareness Month around the United States; and
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that we, Mayor Jerry Dyer, and the Fresno City Council, do hereby recognize Centro La Familia Advocacy Services, Inc., and other partners for working to build awareness of sexual assault and violence and for aiding in the recovery of sexual assault survivors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we, Mayor Jerry Dyer and the Fresno City Council, do hereby proclaim April 2022 to be:
“Sexual Assault Awareness Month”
in the City of Fresno.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have hereunto set our hands and
affixed the Seal of the City of Fresno, California, this 21st day of April 2022.