Declare Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Senate Resolution No. 447 BY: Senator BIAGGI MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 2019, as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in the State of New York WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to commemorate and increase awareness of issues that are of significance for the citizens of this great Nation and Empire State; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 2019, as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Sexual Assault Awareness Month; and WHEREAS, Sexual assault harms our communities, with statistics showing that every 98 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted; one in six women and one in 71 men will survive a sexual assault in their lifetimes; and WHEREAS, On college campuses, one in five women and one in 16 men are sexually assaulted during their time in college; and the Center for Disease Control reports that a staggering 25 million Americans are rape survivors; and WHEREAS, Rape is the most under-reported crime in the nation; 63% of sexual assaults are not reported to police; many people who are traumatized by rape, experience the fear of reliving the assault during the criminal investigation; and WHEREAS, Research suggests that rape has a more severe impact on a person than other types of trauma; 81% of women and 35% of men report significant short- or long-term impacts such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD); and WHEREAS, More must be done to help lift the stigma and shame that victims of sexual assault face, and raise awareness about treatment options for PTSD and other mental health issues that often result from the emotional trauma of sexual assault; and WHEREAS, The 2019 theme focuses on consent, and the slogan is "I Ask"; the campaign will champion the power of asking, whether it be asking to hold someone's hand, for permission to share personal information with others, or if a partner is interested in sex; and WHEREAS, We must work together to educate our communities about sexual violence prevention, supporting survivors and speaking out against harmful attitudes and actions which condone sexual assault; and WHEREAS, When we actively get involved, we can decrease the incidence of sexual violence by increasing education, awareness and community involvement, and by supporting the victims of sexual assault; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 2019, as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Sexual Assault Awareness Month; and be it further RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New York, the Joyful Hearts Foundation, Rise, and the New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault.