March 10, 2022
Mayor Rita Xavier
City of San Pablo
13831 San Pablo Ave
San Pablo, CA 94806
Dear Mayor Xavier,
As a leader of our community, we ask you to lend your voice to the cause of ending sexual assault during April’s Sexual Assault Awareness Month. This special month, recognized in California and across the United States, provides an excellent opportunity for Contra Costa County to work towards ending sexual violence.
Community Violence Solutions would be honored if you sponsored an official Proclamation to recognize April as “Sexual Assault Awareness Month” in your city. Such a proclamation will emphasize your commitment to this important cause and recognize the efforts of those individuals who work to end violence and provide crucial services to sexual assault survivors, victims and their families.
2022 marks the twentieth anniversary of SAAM, and the theme of this year’s campaign is “Building Safe Online Spaces Together.” The campaign calls on us to create online spaces that are built on the foundational values of practicing consent, keeping kids safe, and supporting survivors.
Thank you for your consideration of this request. A sample proclamation is enclosed. A version can also be e-mailed if you prefer. Please contact Cynthia Peterson at (510) 237-0113 or [email protected] if you have any questions about Sexual Assault Awareness Month or this proclamation. We appreciate your support and commitment to end sexual assault.
Sincerely,
Cynthia Peterson
Executive Director
Proclamation for National Sexual Assault Awareness Month-2022
WHEREAS, In California there were 13,439 forcible rapes in 2020 and 283 forcible rapes reported in Contra Costa County in the same year; with an increasing number affecting adolescents, and
WHEREAS, sexual assault affects every person of Contra Costa County as a victim/survivor or as a family member, significant other, neighbor or co-worker of a victim/survivor; and
WHEREAS, many citizens of Contra Costa County are working to provide quality services and assistance to sexual assault survivors; and dedicated volunteers help staff 24-hour crisis hotlines, respond to emergency calls and offer support, comfort and advocacy during forensic exams, criminal proceedings, and throughout the healing process; and
WHEREAS, staff and volunteers of Community Violence Solutions and its Rape Crisis Center, Children’s Interview Center, Prevention Department, HOPE Therapy Services and Anti-Trafficking Project programs in Contra Costa County are promoting education by offering training to schools, churches, and civic organizations, as well as medical, mental health, law enforcement, education, and criminal justice personnel regarding sexual assault issues; and
WHEREAS, it is vitally important that continued educational efforts to provide information about prevention and services for sexual assault be supported and enhanced; and
WHEREAS, it is critical to intensify public awareness of sexual assault, to educate people about the need for citizen involvement in efforts to reduce sexual violence, to increase support for agencies providing sexual assault services, and to increase awareness of the healing power of creative expression; and
WHEREAS, Community Violence Solutions requests public support and assistance as it continues to work toward a society where all women, children, and men can live in peace, free from violence and exploitation;
NOW THEREFORE, I, Rita Xavier , Mayor of San Pablo on behalf of the City Council, do hereby proclaim the month of April as “Sexual Assault Awareness Month” in the City of San Pablo and support service programs in the belief that all community members must be a part of the solution to end sexual violence.
SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH
________________________________ _________________ Rita Xavier Date
City of San Pablo