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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | August 9, 2023 01:40 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Designating “Military Sexual Trauma Survivor Week” in Pennsylvania |
| Although the United States military has more females than ever before, women still comprise a minor percentage of the total force. Yet a high percentage of those women report experiencing unwanted sexual contact. According to a recent annual report on sexual harassment and violence at military academies, there were 206 reports of unwanted sexual contact: an estimated 21.4% of academy women and 4.4% of academy men. This is an increase of 45 incidents since the previous year’s report. The overall number of military sexual assault is much higher: a reported 7,260 sexual assaults occurred in 2021, for a 20% reporting rate out of an estimated 35,900 incidents. Our military members risk their lives to protect us and this great nation. I believe we should also be protecting them, which is why my resolution will designate the week of October 15 through 21, 2023, as “Military Sexual Trauma Survivor Week.” Shedding light onto these dark actions is one way we can combat assault, begin an open conversation, and offer a healing hand to those who were victimized. Please consider co-sponsoring this resolution to join me in standing up against sexual assault in the military and lending a helping hand to those who experience trauma. |
Introduced as HR189