HR0186LRB102 17956 ECR 24677 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, Sexual assault is a serious public health
3problem; along 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
6children in the United States; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Sexual assault affects people of all genders and
8all racial, social, religious, age, ethnic, and socioeconomic
9groups; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Nearly one in five women and nearly one in 38 men
11experience completed or attempted rape during their lifetime;
12it is estimated that nearly one in two women and one in five
13men experience sexual violence, other than rape, throughout
14their lifetime; and
 
15    WHEREAS, One in three female rape victims and
16approximately one in four male rape victims experienced sexual
17violence for the first time between 11 and 17 years old; and
 
18    WHEREAS, In addition to the immediate physical and
19emotional costs, sexual assault survivors frequently suffer
20from severe and long-lasting effects, including post-traumatic
21stress disorder, substance abuse, major depression,

 

 

HR0186- 2 -LRB102 17956 ECR 24677 r

1homelessness, eating disorders, low self-esteem, and suicide;
2and
 
3    WHEREAS, It is important to recognize the strength and
4courage of the victims of sexual assault and acknowledge the
5challenges they face, along with their families and friends,
6as they struggle to cope with the reality of sexual assault;
7and
 
8    WHEREAS, It is also important to recognize the compassion
9and dedication of the individuals involved in addressing this
10public health problem and to applaud their commitment to
11foster healing and increase public understanding of sexual
12assault; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Many states and organizations join the effort
14each year to address the problem of sexual assault, to educate
15the public, and to advocate for the prevention of sexual
16violence; therefore, be it
 
17    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
18HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
19we declare April 2021 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month; and
20be it further
 
21    RESOLVED, That we support State, national, and global

 

 

HR0186- 3 -LRB102 17956 ECR 24677 r

1efforts that bring awareness to the problem of sexual assault,
2including the causes, effects, and means of prevention.