Bill Text: MI SR0044 | 2017-2018 | 99th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: A resolution to recognize April 2017 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2017-04-19 - Adopted [SR0044 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2017-SR0044-Enrolled.html
SR44, As Adopted by Senate, April 19, 2017
Senators Warren, Bieda, Brandenburg, O'Brien, Schuitmaker, Jones, Kowall, Rocca, Proos, Schmidt, Hopgood and Emmons offered the following resolution:
Senate Resolution No. 44.
A resolution to recognize April 2017 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Whereas, Sexual Assault Awareness Month calls attention to the fact that sexual violence is widespread and impacts women, children, and men of all racial, cultural, and economic backgrounds; and
Whereas, The term sexual assault refers to sexual contact or behavior that occurs without explicit consent of the victim; and
Whereas, According to the National Institute of Justice, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Prevalence, Incidence and Consequences of Violence Against Women Survey, one-out-of every six American women has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape in her lifetime and approximately 3 percent of American men—or 1-in-33—have experienced an attempted or completed rape in their lifetime; and
Whereas, Child sexual abuse prevention must be a priority to confront the reality; and
Whereas, From 2009-2013, Child Protective Services agencies substantiated, or found strong evidence to indicate that 63,000 children a year were victims of sexual abuse and a majority of child victims are between the ages of 12-17. Of those, 34 percent of victims of sexual assault and rape are under the age of 12, and 66 percent of victims of sexual assault and rape are ages 12-17; and
Whereas, Michigan State Police statistics indicate that 11,873 sexual assault related offences were reported to law enforcement in 2013; and
Whereas, Sexual violence can deeply and enduringly impact survivors on a psychological, emotional, and social levels; and
Whereas, Ninety-four percent of women who are raped experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms during the two weeks following the rape and approximately 70 percent of rape or sexual assault victims experience moderate to severe distress, a larger percentage than for any other violent crime; and
Whereas, Sexual violence is an intolerable violent crime with public health implications for every person in Michigan; and
Whereas, Access to informed and supportive services can greatly increase survivors’ ability to heal from sexual assault; and
Whereas, Our state and individual communities must be committed to holding sexual assault perpetrators accountable for their heinous crimes; and
Whereas, When we actively increase education, awareness, and community involvement, we can help prevent sexual violence and create a safer environment for everyone; and
Whereas, We must work together to educate our entire population about what can be done to prevent sexual assault, support survivors, and ensure that survivors are not re-victimized; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate, That members of this legislative body strongly supports the efforts of national, state, and local partners, and of every citizen, to actively engage in public and private efforts to prevent sexual violence and will take appropriate action and support one another to create a safer environment for all; and be it further
Resolved, That we recognize April 2017 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
