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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, Sexual assault is a serious public health problem;
3along with unwanted sexual contact and verbal sexual
4harassment, sexual assault is a major human rights and social
5justice issue that affects millions of women, men, and children
6in the United States; and
 
7    WHEREAS, People of all genders and ages are victims of
8sexual assault; it is estimated that nearly one in two women
9and one in five men experience sexual violence, other than
10rape, throughout their lifetime; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Sexual assault affects women, men, and children of
12all racial, social, religious, age, ethnic, and socioeconomic
13groups in the United States; and
 
14    WHEREAS, In addition to the immediate physical and
15emotional costs, sexual assault survivors frequently suffer
16from severe and long-lasting effects, including posttraumatic
17stress disorder, substance abuse, major depression,
18homelessness, eating disorders, low self-esteem, and suicide;
19and
 
20    WHEREAS, It is important to recognize the strength and
21courage of the victims of sexual assault and acknowledge the

 

 

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1challenges they face, along with their families and friends, as
2they struggle to cope with the reality of sexual assault; and
 
3    WHEREAS, It is also important to recognize the compassion
4and dedication of the individuals involved in addressing this
5public health problem and to applaud their commitment to foster
6healing and increase public understanding of sexual assault;
7and
 
8    WHEREAS, Many states and organizations join the effort each
9year to address the problem of sexual assault, to educate the
10public, and to advocate for the prevention of sexual violence;
11therefore, be it
 
12    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL
13ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare April 2019
14as Sexual Assault Awareness Month; and be it further
 
15    RESOLVED, That we wholeheartedly support State, national,
16and global commitment to bring awareness to the causes,
17effects, and prevention of sexual assault.