HomeMy WebLinkAboutSexual Assault Awareness Month - April 2022City of Medina, Washington
PROCLAMATION
2022 Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Building Safe Online Spaces Together
Whereas: In Washington State, 45% of women and 22% of men report having
experienced sexual violence in their lifetime, and 29% of the survivors who were supported
by community sexual assault organizations statewide identified as Black, Indigenous and
people of color in 2019. Of those identifying ethnicity, 21 % identified as Latinx/Hispanic; and
Whereas: Rape is among the most underreported crimes for many reasons, including
victims' fear of being disbelieved or further traumatized within the legal system. Additional
barriers, such as language, immigration status, gender bias, and systemic racism further
oppress and silence victims; and
Whereas: Individual and community impacts of sexual violence are rooted in and
compounded by racism, sexism, heterosexism, and other forms of oppression. Black,
Indigenous and other people of color, people living in poverty, LGBTQ+ people, elders, people
with disabilities, and other people targeted by oppression are disproportionately affected by
sexual violence in significant and complex ways; and
Whereas: Sexual violence exists on a continuum of behavior and includes racist, sexist,
transphobic, homophobic, ableist or other hate speech. This ranges from rape jokes to
verbal harassment to threats of rape and assault. Harassing comments and behaviors that
take place online can and do traumatize victims, and their impacts should not be minimized;
and
Whereas: 41 % of Americans have been personally subjected to harassing behavior
online, and people from historically oppressed groups are more likely to experience online
harassment, mirroring inequities we see elsewhere in society; and
Whereas: Negative impacts of sexual violence trauma on adults, youth, and children
include fear, concern for safety, physical and mental health conditions, including symptoms
of post -traumatic stress disorder, injury, and missed work or school; and
Whereas: Working together as a community, we can alleviate the trauma of sexual
violence by ensuring supportive resources are available to all survivors, while standing up to
and actively disrupting harmful attitudes and behaviors that contribute to sexual violence.
Now, therefore, I/WE, CITY OF MEDINA join advocates and communities throughout
King County in taking action to prevent sexual violence by standing with survivors
and proclaiming April 2022 SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH.
Together, we commit to a safer future for all children, young people, adults, and
families in our community.
"2
"' Ayer Jessica Rossman