PROCLAMATION
Recognizing April 2024 as Sexual Assault Awareness
Month
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 and attitudes 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
NOW, THEREFORE LET IT BE RESOLVED, I, Margie Mohler, Mayor of the Town of Yountville, State of California, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the laws of Napa County and California, 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, in Yountville, 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.
Margie Mohler, Mayor
Dated: April 2, 2024