It is a violent act that scars the human spirit, destroys families, and devastates communities. You are correct, that it is time that rape be officially acknowledged as a war crime. The U.N. International Criminal Tribunal's conviction of 3 Bosnian Serb soldiers for raping and torturing Muslim women represents a huge stride for the human race. Still, much remains to be done.
Statistics indicate approximately one in three women are raped in adulthood.
Experts from numerous fields, including law enforcement, criminal justice, and victims' advocate groups spent 12 months developing an aggressive, coordinated strategic plan to alleviate sexual assaults in our state. The report outlines six key goals for policy and grassroots change. We understand we will not solve the problem of sexual assault overnight, but we can make powerful strides if we unite. Thank you for joining us in the effort.