PRINTER'S NO. 490
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
71
Session of
2023
INTRODUCED BY TARTAGLIONE, BARTOLOTTA, BOSCOLA, CAPPELLETTI,
COLLETT, COMITTA, MUTH, SCHWANK, L. WILLIAMS, HUGHES,
KEARNEY, HAYWOOD, SAVAL, FONTANA, BROWN, KANE, SANTARSIERO
AND BREWSTER, MARCH 15, 2023
REFERRED TO RULES AND EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS, MARCH 15, 2023
A RESOLUTION
Designating the month of April 2023 as "Sexual Assault Awareness
Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, April is nationally recognized as "Sexual Assault
Awareness Month" to call attention to the fact that sexual
violence is widespread and impacts every community; and
WHEREAS, April 2023 marks the 22nd anniversary of the
designation of "Sexual Assault Awareness Month"; and
WHEREAS, Rape, sexual assault and sexual harassment have a
deep physical and emotional trauma on those who have experienced
it; and
WHEREAS, Rape in the United States occurs more frequently
than the public realizes, as 1 in 5 women and 1 in 67 men have
been raped in the United States; and
WHEREAS, On postsecondary campuses, 1 in 5 women and 1 in 16
men are sexually assaulted at some point in their educational
career; and
WHEREAS, Young people experience heightened rates of child
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sexual abuse as one in six boys and one in four girls experience
sexual assault before 18 years of age; and
WHEREAS, Lesbian and bisexual women may be up to three times
as likely as heterosexual women to report having been sexually
assaulted during their lifetime; and
WHEREAS, Gay men may be up to 15 times as likely as
heterosexual men to report having been sexually assaulted during
their lifetime; and
WHEREAS, More than 90% of individuals with a developmental
delay or disability will be sexually assaulted at least once in
their lifetime; and
WHEREAS, Twenty-seven percent of all sexual assault
victimizations for adults and children end in arrest; and
WHEREAS, Communities can support survivors by believing their
stories, showing respect and championing their individual
support networks; and
WHEREAS, Individuals speaking out against inappropriate
jokes, offensive gestures, harmful attitudes and unwanted
actions make a positive impact toward ending sexual harassment,
abuse and assault; and
WHEREAS, Consent and boundaries can be violated online in a
number of ways; and
WHEREAS, Individuals can work together to make their
communities safer by providing prevention education and
increasing public awareness to avoid future harm from sexual
violence; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate designate the month of April 2023
as "Sexual Assault Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize the 22nd anniversary of
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"Sexual Assault Awareness Month" to empower more survivors and
their loved ones on their journey to help, hope and heal; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That the Senate encourage communities to understand
their role in ending sexual violence in Pennsylvania and the
United States; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Senate encourage communities to commit to
make a difference to ensure that online platforms are safe and
respectful for everyone by practicing consent, keeping kids safe
and supporting survivors.
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