Proclamation
WHEREAS, the month of April has been declared Sexual Assault Awareness Month by the White House, the United States Congress, and state governments throughout the nation including California; and, WHEREAS, sexual violence is a devastating, violent, and intolerable crime that affects men, women, seniors, teens, and children of all races, ages, cultures, economic situations and abilities; and, WHEREAS, sexual assault violates an individual’s privacy, dignity, security and humanity; and, WHEREAS, 1 out of every 6 American women and about 1 in 33 men have experienced an attempted or completed rape in their lifetime; and, WHEREAS, the City of Merced is not isolated from the reality of sexual violence; and, WHEREAS, in the last year Valley Crisis Center served 340 victims of sexual assault in Merced County; and, WHEREAS, no one person, organization, agency, or community can eliminate sexual assault alone; and, WHEREAS, we must work together to educate our community about sexual violence prevention, supporting survivors, and speaking out against harmful attitudes and actions.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, MATTHEW SERRATTO, Mayor of the City of Merced, on behalf of the City Council, do hereby proclaim April 2024 as “Sexual Assault Awareness Month” in Merced, and encourage all community members to join advocates and communities across the country in taking action to prevent sexual violence and create change for the future.
Signed this 2nd day of April, 2022
__________________________________
Matthew Serratto, Mayor of Merced