Declare Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Senate Resolution No. 1389 BY: Senator PERSAUD MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 2026, 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 Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 2026, 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 and sexual harassment harm our communities, with statistics showing that nearly every minute, an American is sexually assaulted, and every nine minutes, that victim is a child; and WHEREAS, Only twenty-five out of every 1,000 perpetrators will end up in prison; and WHEREAS, 423,020 people, aged 12 years and older, experience sexual violence each year in the United States; and WHEREAS, 54% of sexual violence victims are aged 18-34; 63,000 children are reported to have been sexually abused every year; and WHEREAS, One in six women in the United States has experienced attempted or completed rape in their lifetime; and WHEREAS, One in 33 American men have experienced an attempted or completed rape in their life; and WHEREAS, 82% of underaged rape victims and 90% of adult rape victims are female; and WHEREAS, 68.5% of sexual assaults occur at or near the victims' homes or their relatives' homes; 23% of sexual assaults occur in open public places; 8.5% of sexual assaults occur on school properties or other locations; 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 prevent sexual violence by increasing education, awareness and community involvement; and WHEREAS, It is time to create a safer environment in the workplace, the community and the world for all; and WHEREAS, April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and each day of the year is an opportunity to create change for the future; and WHEREAS, Sexual assault is a horrific act of crime which deserves the attention of this Legislative Body; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to pro- claim April 2026, as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New York; and to the New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault.