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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING HOWARD BROWN HEALTH AND RAPE VICTIM ADVOCATES DURING SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH
WHEREAS, Sexual assault is a serious and widespread problem that anyone can experience, including children, teens, adults, and seniors; and,
WHEREAS, Sexual violence is a broad term and includes: rape, incest, child sexual abuse, intimate partner violence, sexual exploitation, human trafficking, unwanted sexual contact, sexual harassment, exposure, and voyeurism; and,
WHEREAS, Nearly 1 in 5 women in the United States have experienced rape or attempted rape some time in their lives, and 1 in 67 American men have experienced rape or attempted rape; and,
WHEREAS, The goal of Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) is to raise public awareness about sexual violence and educate communities on how to prevent it; and,
WHEREAS, Locally in Chicago, Rape Victim Advocates (RVA) is an independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to the healing and empowerment of sexual assault survivors through non-judgmental crisis intervention counseling, individual and group trauma therapy, and medical and legal advocacy in the greater Chicago metropolitan area; and,
WHEREAS, RVA provides public education and institutional advocacy in order to improve the treatment of sexual assault survivors and to effect positive change in policies and public attitudes toward sexual assault; and,
WHEREAS, The Anti-Violence Project (AVP) at the Center on Halsted empowers lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and HIV-affected communities and allies to end all forms of violence through organizing and education, and supports survivors through counseling and advocacy; and,
WHEREAS, AVP at Center on Halsted provides comprehensive individual and community programs for survivor advocacy and support to LGBTQIA survivors of hate and bias violence, discrimination, intimate partner violence, stalking, and/or sexual assault; and,
WHEREAS, This year marks the 17th anniversary of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and organizers chose the theme “Embrace Your Voice” to inform individuals on how they can use their words to promote safety, respect, and equality to stop sexual violence before it happens; and,
WHEREAS, Individuals can embrace their voices to show their support for survivors, stand up to victim blaming, shut down rape jokes, correct harmful misconceptions, promote everyday consent, and practice healthy communications with children.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioner recognizes April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month and is committed to raising public awareness about sexual violence and educating communities on how to prevent it.end