Bill Text: MI HR0222 | 2011-2012 | 96th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: A resolution to declare April 2012 as Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month in the state of Michigan.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 19-3)
Status: (Passed) 2012-03-29 - Adopted [HR0222 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2011-HR0222-Enrolled.html
Reps. Switalski, Slavens, Townsend, Darany, Lindberg, Byrum, Womack, Barnett, Hovey-Wright, Kandrevas, Santana, Segal, Howze, Brown, Bauer, Constan, Durhal, Goike, Knollenberg, Liss and Tyler offered the following resolution:
House Resolution No. 222.
A resolution to declare April 2012 as Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month in the state of Michigan.
Whereas, Rape and sexual assault impacts women, children, and men of all racial, cultural, and economic backgrounds; and
Whereas, The American Medical Association has stated that a "woman is raped every 46 seconds in the United States" and that sexual assault is a "silent epidemic"; and
Whereas, Women, children, and men are all victims of sexual assault and it is estimated that one in three women, one in four girls, one in six boys, and one in 11 men will be victims at least once in their lifetimes; and
Whereas, It is estimated by the Bureau of Justice Statistics that over 65 percent of rapes are never reported to police; and
Whereas, Only 36 percent of sexual assault victims pursue prosecution by reporting their attacks to law enforcement agencies; and
Whereas, Sixty-seven percent of all victims of sexual assault reported to law enforcement agencies were under 18 years of age and 34 percent of all victims were under 12 years of age; and
Whereas, In addition to the immediate physical and emotional costs, sexual assault may also have associated severe and long-lasting consequences of post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse, major depression, homelessness, eating disorders, and suicide; and
Whereas, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified sexual assault as a significant, costly, and preventable health issue; and
Whereas, Women, children, and men in our state have the right to be safe from sexual violence in their homes, at school, at work, and on the streets; and
Whereas, Seven in ten victims knew the offender prior to the act and were often identified as friends or acquaintances; and
Whereas, It is crucially important to hold perpetrators responsible for sexual attacks, and to prevent sexual violence at every opportunity; and
Whereas, It is important to recognize the strength, courage, and challenges of the victims and survivors of sexual assault and their families and friends as they struggle to cope with the reality of sexual assault; and
Whereas, It is critical to draw statewide and national attention to this very important issue so that citizens are educated and in a better position to prevent sexual assault; now,
therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare April 2012 as Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month in the state of Michigan.
