CITY OF NAPA
PROCLAMATION
Sexual Assault Awareness Month - April 2024
WHEREAS, NEWS, Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse Services is commemorating 42 years of service to survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse in Napa County, and having opened as the county’s Rape Crisis Center in 2010 to provide safety to those experiencing sexual abuse; and
WHEREAS, in 2001 the National Sexual Violence Resource Center launched the first Sexual Assault Awareness Month campaign and in 2009 the Obama Administration officially recognized April as National Sexual Assault Awareness Month, enshrining our Country’s commitment to promoting education of sexual violence, promoting consent, ending victim-blaming, and showing support for victims and survivors; and
WHEREAS, Sexual Assault Awareness Month is about promoting safety, respect and equality, and standing up and speaking out against harmful cultural norms that allow sexual violence to persist. This year’s national campaign of “Building Connected Communities” helps us reduce the likelihood of sexual abuse, assault, and harassment in our communities; and WHEREAS, rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment harm our community. Statistics from the U.S.
Center of Disease Control shows that over half of women and almost 1 in 3 men have experienced sexual violence involving physical contact during their lifetimes; and, that 1 in 4 women and about 1 in 26 men have experienced completed or attempted rape. Sexual violence disproportionately affects women, minors, and racial and ethnic minority groups who experience a higher incidence of sexual violence; and WHEREAS, by observing April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month we show that our community is committed to supporting survivors and working toward the prevention of sexual violence across generations; and
WHEREAS, in Fiscal Year 2022/2023 NEWS provided services to nearly 1,800 of our Napa County community members—of which 271 were survivors of sexual abuse, and nearly half of those were minors—including 24-hour response and crisis intervention, financial aid, and advocacy, accompaniment and assistance of civil and criminal justice proceedings, referrals, and support completing victim compensation applications; and WHEREAS, in Fiscal Year 2022/2023, NEWS served 1,107 clients from the city of Napa, including children, 149 of which experienced sexual assault. The NEWS Help Line received 1,556 calls for assistance from Napa residents. Clients received emergency assistance and crisis intervention services; court advocacy and accompaniment, including help preparing and filing restraining orders; and support from our Sexual Assault Victim Services program.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that I, Scott Sedgley, Mayor of the City of Napa, along with the City Council, join NEWS, advocates, and communities across the country in taking action to prevent sexual violence. I do hereby proclaim April 2024 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month and I ask the entire community to join in their effort, not only in April, but all year long, to be part of the effort to end sexual violence.
Dated: April 2, 2024
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SCOTT SEDGLEY, MAYOR
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