PRINTER'S NO. 3327
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
756
Session of
2020
INTRODUCED BY BROWN, ZABEL, KIM, KORTZ, SCHMITT, LONGIETTI,
BIZZARRO, SCHLEGEL CULVER, JAMES, McNEILL, BURNS, BERNSTINE,
SONNEY, HANBIDGE, BROOKS, HILL-EVANS, MILLARD, KINSEY, RYAN,
MACKENZIE, DONATUCCI, MURT, WILLIAMS, SAPPEY, MADDEN, SAYLOR,
BARRAR, STAATS, SANCHEZ, STRUZZI, ROZZI, READSHAW, PICKETT,
FREEMAN, DeLUCA, NEILSON, GAINEY, THOMAS AND HOWARD,
FEBRUARY 24, 2020
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, FEBRUARY 24, 2020
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing the month of April 2020 as "Sexual Assault Awareness
Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Sexual violence consists of a range of heinous
behaviors, including rape, incest, molestation, date and
acquaintance rape, statutory rape, marital or partner rape,
ritual abuse, sexual exploitation, forced prostitution, indecent
sexual contact, sexual harassment, exhibitionism and voyeurism;
and
WHEREAS, One in five girls and one in six boys will be
sexually assaulted before reaching 18 years of age; and
WHEREAS, In the United States, it is estimated that more than
876,000 adult women and 111,200 adult men each year are
subjected to the traumatic experience of being raped; and
WHEREAS, Victims of sexual violence are more likely to
experience long-term mental health consequences, including
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suicide and attempted suicide, eating disorders, substance
abuse, promiscuity, low self-esteem, psychiatric
hospitalizations and posttraumatic stress disorder; and
WHEREAS, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has
identified sexual violence as an urgent and costly public health
crisis; and
WHEREAS, The American Medical Association has stated that
sexual violence is a silent, violent epidemic which is growing
at alarming rates and traumatizing the women, men and children
of this nation; and
WHEREAS, The Federal Bureau of Investigation and other law
enforcement agencies across the nation indicate that sexual
violence is the most underreported crime in the United States,
with only an average of 31% of rape and sexual assault incidents
being reported to police; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
month of April 2020 as "Sexual Assault Awareness Month" in
Pennsylvania; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize that it
is time to take action against sexual violence by uniting the
efforts of those who work on behalf of victims of sexual
violence, educate individuals to prevent sexual violence and
eliminate sexual crimes in our communities.
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