Legislation Document

WHEREAS, sexual assault remains a pervasive and deeply concerning issue affecting individuals across the nation; and

WHEREAS, the trauma of sexual assault can have long-lasting physical, emotional, and psychological effects on survivors, impacting their well-being and quality of life; and

WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that one in twenty boys and one in four girls experience sexual abuse before the age of eighteen; and

WHEREAS, sexual assault remains one of the most under-reported crimes according to the National Crime Victimization Survey, with approximately 63% of cases going unreported, despite the fact that over 70% of sexual assaults are committed by a person known to the victim; and

WHEREAS, college-aged women are between three and four times more likely than any other female age group to face sexual assault, with one in four women reporting being sexually assaulted while attending college; and

WHEREAS, members of the LGBTQ community face disproportionate rates of sexual violence, including 47% of transgender people experiencing sexual assault and 40% of gay men reporting experiencing sexual violence; and

WHEREAS, the intersectionality of identities within the LGBTQ community, including but not limited to race, gender identity, and socioeconomic status, further exacerbates the risk and impact of sexual violence, creating barriers to seeking justice and accessing comprehensive care and resources; and

WHEREAS, Delaware organizations such as the Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence (DCADV), the Delaware Alliance Against Sexual Violence - DAASV, YWCA Sexual Assault Response Center (SARC), the University of Delaware’s Sex Offense Support (SOS), and Delaware State University's Sexual Assault Response Advocates, work tirelessly to provide Delawareans with sexual assault services including prevention, victim support, counseling, and advocacy; and

WHEREAS, the General Assembly affirms its support for survivors of sexual assault and recognizes the detrimental effects of victim-blaming, shaming, and disbelief on survivors' well-being and ability to seek justice; and

WHEREAS, the General Assembly acknowledges the critical need for increased funding for survivor support services, including counseling, legal assistance, and medical care, to ensure survivors have access to comprehensive care and resources; and

WHEREAS, the General Assembly emphasizes the importance of comprehensive sex education programs that include accurate information on consent, healthy relationships, and strategies for preventing sexual violence; and

WHEREAS, the General Assembly calls for the expansion of prevention efforts, including bystander intervention training, to empower individuals to recognize and intervene in situations of potential sexual assault; and

WHEREAS, the General Assembly supports efforts to hold perpetrators of sexual assault accountable for their actions through fair and impartial legal proceedings; and

WHEREAS, the General Assembly urges the strengthening of laws and policies to address sexual assault on college campuses and within the military, including improved reporting mechanisms and support services for survivors; and

WHEREAS, the General Assembly calls for enhanced data collection efforts to better understand the prevalence and impact of sexual assault, particularly among marginalized communities; and

WHEREAS, the General Assembly supports increased funding for research on the causes and consequences of sexual assault and the development of evidence-based interventions to prevent and address it.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the 152nd General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the Senate concurring therein, that April 2024 is hereby recognized as “Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month” in the State of Delaware.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all of Delaware’s citizens and members of the Legislature are encouraged to join the campaign to raise awareness about sexual violence during the month of April in the hope of eliminating sexual violence and promoting a culture of consent, respect, and support for survivors throughout our communities.