Senate Passes Resolution to Designate Sexual Assault Awareness & Prevention Month

WASHINGTON – The Senate last night passed a bipartisan resolution introduced by Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) in support of National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month.

 

The resolution was cosponsored by Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.).

 

“Each year, sexual assault crimes impact millions of Americans from all walks of life, and survivors often carry the trauma of these crimes for many years afterward. National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month is an opportunity to raise awareness surrounding these terrible acts and pledge our support to survivors. This resolution expresses Congress’ support for survivors and applauds advocates who provide much-needed assistance not just in the month of April but every single day in the year. It also highlights the need to prevent and prosecute crimes of sexual violence across the country,” Grassley said.

 

“We need to lift the stigma associated with sexual assault. Victims should feel empowered to speak out, knowing they’ll receive the support necessary to deal with their trauma. I’m grateful the Senate passed our resolution. It will help raise awareness, combat this problem and encourage more victims to speak out,” Feinstein said

“While it's important to talk about what we can do to reduce sexual violence, hold perpetrators accountable, and support survivors all year long, Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month gives us an important opportunity to highlight how widespread sexual violence is and its far-reaching impact on our communities. We thank Sens. Feinstein and Grassley for their leadership on this issue and for working to create a safer nation for all,” said Scott Berkowitz, president of RAINN.

 

Full text of the resolution is available HERE: