HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 04-20-2021; 4-b - Sexual Assault Awareness Month Proclamation ORANGE COUNTY 1
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: April 20, 2021
Action Agenda
Item No. 4-b
SUBJECT: Sexual Assault Awareness Month Proclamation
DEPARTMENT: Board of Commissioners
ATTACHMENT (S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Proclamation Laura Jensen, 245-2130
Rachel Valentine, Rape Crisis Center, 919-
968-4647
PURPOSE: To approve a proclamation recognizing April 2021 as Sexual Assault Awareness
Month in Orange County.
BACKGROUND: The Orange County Rape Crisis Center, a non-profit, volunteer agency which
has been serving the community since 1974 is working with others in the community to stop
sexual violence and its impact through support, education and advocacy. Rape is the most
costly crime to its victims considering factors such as medical cost, lost earnings, pain, suffering
and lost quality of life. The Orange County Rape Crisis Center assisted over 600 survivors of
sexual violence, their loved ones, and community professionals during 2020.
The coordination of the Orange County Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Response
Committee is bringing together members of law enforcement, the medical community, the legal
system and other community advocates to improve services for survivors of sexual assault who
come forward.
The Board of Commissioners is asked to proclaim April 2021 as "Sexual Assault Awareness
Month" in Orange County to encourage all residents to speak out against sexual assault, and to
support their local communities' efforts to provide services to victims of these appalling crimes.
The Board has approved similar resolutions in prior years.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with consideration of the
proclamation.
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goal is applicable to
this agenda item:
• GOAL: CREATE A SAFE COMMUNITY
The reduction of risks from vehicle/traffic accidents, childhood and senior injuries, gang
activity, substance abuse and domestic violence.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: There is no Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal
impact associated with this item.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the
proclamation designating April 2021 as "Sexual Assault Awareness Month" in Orange County
and authorize the Chair to sign the proclamation.
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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PROCLAMATION
Sexual Assault Awareness Month
WHEREAS, the Orange County Rape Crisis Center assisted over 600 survivors of sexual violence,
their loved ones,and community professionals during 2020; and
WHEREAS, the Orange County Rape Crisis Center works with the County's two school systems
and other groups to provide students with age-appropriate information about violence prevention,
reaching over 15,500 youth and adults each year;and
WHEREAS, the coordination of the Orange County Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
Response Committee (DVSARC) is bringing together members of law enforcement, the medical
community, the legal system, and other community advocates to improve services for survivors of
sexual assault who come forward;and
WHEREAS, 1 in 5 American women have been sexually assaulted at some point in their lives
(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,2010); and
WHEREAS,in the United States rape is the most costly crime to its survivors,totaling$127 billion
a year considering factors such as medical cost,lost earnings,pain, suffering, and lost quality of life
(U.S. Department of justice,1996); and
WHEREAS,in the United States 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have experienced some form of sexual
or physical violence committed by an intimate partner(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
2010);and
WHEREAS,trans and gender non-conforming people,people with disabilities,and children face the
highest rates of sexual violence in our country;and
WHEREAS,victim-blaming continues to be an enormous problem in instances of rape and sexual
assault;and
WHEREAS, the Orange County Rape Crisis Center, a nonprofit agency that has served this
community since 1974,is working to stop sexual violence and its impact through support,education,
and advocacy;
NOW,THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that we,the Orange County Board of Commissioners,do
hereby proclaim the month of April 2021 as "SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH," and
encourage all residents to speak out against sexual violence and to support their local community's
efforts to prevent and respond to these appalling crimes.
This the 20th day of April 2021.
Renee Price,Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners