The National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) is working with
the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence and
others to urge the President to issue a proclamation declaring April to
be Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The NSVRC website now has the
Proclamation posted and a mechanism for people to sign on to it online. Over
500 people have signed on and they are trying to reach 1,000. At
this time, they are asking you to sign on to the proclamation as individuals
and/or organizations. Please pass the word and encourage all to take a
moment to support this long-overdue national recognition.

The following link takes you right to the page:
http://nsvrc.org/proclaimSAAM .

SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH
A PROCLAMATION
Whereas, non-stranger and stranger rape and sexual assault affect women,
children and men of all racial, cultural and economic backgrounds; and
Whereas, women, children and men suffer multiple types of sexual violence;
and
Whereas, the Department of Justice reports that a sexual assault occurs
every 90 seconds; and
Whereas, it is estimated by the Bureau of Justice Statistics that over 70%
of rapes are never reported to police; and
Whereas, in addition to the immediate physical and emotional costs, sexual
assault has associated consequences of post-traumatic stress disorder,
substance abuse, major depression, homelessness, eating disorders, and
suicide; and
Whereas, it is important to recognize the compassion and dedication of the
individuals who provide services to survivors and work to increase the
public understanding of this significant problem; and
Whereas, national and state coalitions, community-based rape crisis centers
and other organizations across the nation are committed to increasing public
awareness of sexual violence and its prevalence, and to eliminating it
through prevention and education; and
Whereas, important partnerships have been formed among criminal and juvenile
justice agencies, health providers, allied professionals and victim
services; and
Whereas, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have identified
sexual assault as a significant, costly, and preventable health issue; and
Whereas, the US government has expressed a commitment to eliminating sexual
violence in society with various legislative actions and appropriations
including: the Violence Against Women Act, Grants to Combat Violence Against
Women on Campus, and through projects of the Centers For Disease Control and
Prevention; therefore
Be it proclaimed, that individual and collective efforts reflect our dream
for a nation where no sexual assault victim goes unserved or ever feels
there is no path to justice, and where citizens work toward eliminating all
forms of sexual violence; and further
Be it proclaimed, that the United States government expresses its commitment
to eliminating sexual violence from society by acknowledging the work of
organizations and individuals across the nation, and by designating the
month of April as National Sexual Assault Awareness Month in perpetuity.

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Rebecca K. Odor, MSW
Director, Sexual Violence Prevention
Center for Injury and Violence Prevention
Virginia Department of Health
1500 East Main Street, Suite 105
Richmond VA 23219
Phone: (804) 692-0406
Fax: (804) 786-0917
Email: rodor@...
web: www.vahealth.org/civp/sexualviolence