PRINTER'S NO. 3023
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
642
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY McNEILL, READSHAW, DELOZIER, MOUL, KINSEY, HILL-
EVANS, YOUNGBLOOD, RYAN, MURT, SCHLOSSBERG, FREEMAN, DELLOSO,
FITZGERALD, KENYATTA, DeLUCA, COMITTA, HOWARD, ISAACSON,
SAPPEY, MERSKI, THOMAS, HARKINS, ULLMAN, OTTEN, McCLINTON,
SHUSTERMAN, O'MARA, T. DAVIS, DONATUCCI, FRANKEL, NEILSON,
MULLINS, PASHINSKI, RABB, MADDEN, SIMS, HANBIDGE, JOHNSON-
HARRELL, KOSIEROWSKI, KRUEGER, KIRKLAND, DALEY, GILLEN,
SCHWEYER, DRISCOLL, BOBACK, JAMES, MARKOSEK, RAVENSTAHL AND
KORTZ, DECEMBER 16, 2019
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES, DECEMBER 16, 2019
A RESOLUTION
Directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a
study on the shortcomings of mental health services available
to victims of sexual assault and rape in this Commonwealth
and how mental health services can be improved.
WHEREAS, The damaging and traumatic effects of sexual assault
and rape permeate through our culture, stripping thousands of
individuals of their dignity and safety; and
WHEREAS, There are more than 430,000 victims who report
sexual assault and rape each year in the United States, with 570
people reporting sexual assault or rape daily; and
WHEREAS, Ninety percent of victims who report sexual assault
or rape are women, while three percent of men have been raped or
assaulted at some point in their lifetime; and
WHEREAS, Every 73 seconds an American is sexually assaulted,
making it one of the most urgent public health crises our nation
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
faces today; and
WHEREAS, Many survivors live in silence, as 63% of victims
never report their suffering for fear of negative public
perception or retaliation; and
WHEREAS, Sexual assault and rape survivors often experience a
detrimental and severe impact on their mental health, causing
the individual to feel deep shame and to believe they are alone
or worthless; and
WHEREAS, Ninety-four percent of female survivors experience
symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) within the
first two weeks following the event and 30% will continue to
suffer from PTSD symptoms after nine months; and
WHEREAS, Survivors often report feelings of hopelessness,
isolation and self-doubt or blame; and
WHEREAS, Depression and anxiety are common results of sexual
assault or rape, which can lead to a spiraling decline in the
survivor's mental health; and
WHEREAS, Thirty-three percent of women who survive rape
contemplate suicide, with 13% following through with an attempt
to end their lives; and
WHEREAS, The average national annual cost associated with
sexual assault and rape is $127 billion, more than any other
crime, including almost double the cost associated with
homicide; and
WHEREAS, Individual costs associated with sexual assault or
rape can total as high as $120,000 over a lifetime; and
WHEREAS, An overwhelming disconnect appears for survivors
attempting to access mental health care to handle the emotional
distress many struggle with after their trauma; and
WHEREAS, For the many victims who do not report sexual
20190HR0642PN3023 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
assault or rape, some feel as though they cannot disclose their
pain to a mental health care provider; and
WHEREAS, For the victims who do come forward to seek mental
health services, a confusing and ambiguous process in how to
reach local providers may require victims to recount their
painful trauma multiple times before finding a match; and
WHEREAS, Victims find it challenging to locate a mental
health care provider who has expertise and experience in
treating victims of sexual assault and rape and may be deterred
by the challenge; and
WHEREAS, Though states receive Federal funding to support
victims, mental health services can be financially burdensome
and should not be a barrier for individuals seeking help after
sexual assault and rape; and
WHEREAS, It is imperative that victims feel supported and are
aware of their options when it comes to their mental health and
healing; and
WHEREAS, The Commonwealth has a moral obligation to ensure
reliable access to mental health services for victims of rape
and sexual assault, regardless of their gender, age or ability
to pay; and
WHEREAS, In a country that has consistently failed the
survivors of sexual assault and rape, it is time that the
Commonwealth strengthen its efforts and address the gaps in
mental health services provided to these brave and strong
individuals; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the Joint
State Government Commission to conduct a study on the
shortcomings of mental health services available to victims of
sexual assault and rape in this Commonwealth and how mental
20190HR0642PN3023 - 3 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
health services can be improved; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission prepare
a report of its findings that shall, at a minimum:
(1) Identify the factors that deter victims from seeking
mental health services.
(2) Identify the sources of funding for mental health
services, including the Victims Compensation Assistance
Program, and how they could be better advertised and
utilized.
(3) Determine how resources such as telephone hotlines
could be better structured to result in a more streamlined
process in connecting the caller with their local mental
health care providers.
(4) Determine how services such as telemedicine could be
implemented to bridge the gap in the mental health care
provider shortage.
(5) Determine whether a nationally accepted
certification for mental health care providers would be
appropriate to assist victims in finding a provider who has
experience in treating individuals who present with sexual
assault or rape trauma.
(6) Make recommendations regarding:
(i) How to best connect victims who report to
hospitals for sexual assault examinations with mental
health services materials prior to leaving the hospital.
(ii) Any other solutions to better serve victims of
sexual assault and rape who are seeking mental health
treatment;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission submit
20190HR0642PN3023 - 4 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
its report to the House of Representatives no later than one
year after the adoption of this resolution.
20190HR0642PN3023 - 5 -
1
2