HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRO-2021-014 Sexual Assault Awareness Month � 0 ( )
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 the estimated lifetime cost for all adult rape survivors is nearly $ 3 . 1
trillion, with government sources paying an estimated one-third of those costs , based on factors
including medical costs , lost earnings , and criminal justice expenses . ( Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, 2017) ; 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 , victimNaming 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 .
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Renee Price , Chair
17 ` ° Orange County Board of Commissioners
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