Title: A resolution recognizing and supporting the advocates, counselors, volunteers, and first responders who served survivors on an emergency basis during National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month.
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement

Summary:
This resolution expresses appreciation of and support for providers of essential services who support survivors of sexual violence during the emergency declaration relating to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019).

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 555 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>






116th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 555

 Recognizing and supporting the advocates, counselors, volunteers, and 
  first responders who served survivors on an emergency basis during 
        National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 4, 2020

 Mr. Grassley (for himself, Mr. Peters, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Jones, and Mr. 
 Tillis) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
                       Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Recognizing and supporting the advocates, counselors, volunteers, and 
  first responders who served survivors on an emergency basis during 
        National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month.

Whereas the 19th anniversary of National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention 
        Month, which took place in April 2020, provides the people of the United 
        States with an opportunity to reflect on the substantial contributions 
        made by the individuals who respond to, and advocate on behalf of, 
        survivors of sexual violence;
Whereas the first rape crisis center, established in San Francisco, California, 
        in 1971, was the natural outgrowth of years of peer-to-peer support by 
        advocates for women and civil rights advocates in communities across the 
        United States;
Whereas, nearly 5 decades later, rape crisis centers across the United States 
        continue to be on the front lines in responding to the needs of sexual 
        assault survivors, going above and beyond to empower and improve the 
        lives of these crime victims during the national emergency declared by 
        the President under the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et 
        seq.) with respect to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19);
Whereas thousands of volunteers and personnel at State coalitions against sexual 
        assault have partnered with rape crisis centers and national nonprofit 
        organizations across the country to extend crisis hotline and other 
        services to survivors of sexual assault during such national emergency;
Whereas the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800-656-HOPE) has fielded more than 
        1,000,000 calls since its inception, providing free and confidential 
        help to sexual assault survivors, with the active involvement of many 
        such nonprofit organizations;
Whereas sexual violence affects some individuals who serve in the Armed Forces, 
        according to the Department of Defense, which recently launched the Safe 
        Helpline (877-995-5247), through which thousands of members of the Armed 
        Forces who annually report some form of sexual assault may receive free 
        and confidential help;
Whereas, during such national emergency, additional resources are available to 
        victims of violent crime through the National Center for Victims of 
        Crime, which operates the National Hotline for Crime Victims (855-4-
        VICTIM); 
Whereas, during such national emergency, first responders, including police, 
        firefighters, and emergency medical technicians, have worked tirelessly 
        to provide emergency services and respond to crime survivors; 
Whereas, during such national emergency, sexual assault forensic nurses have 
        played an essential role in meeting the needs of crime victims by 
        responding with empathy to victims in the immediate aftermath of their 
        assault and ensuring the successful collection of crime scene evidence; 
Whereas, each year, crimes of sexual violence harm hundreds of thousands of 
        individuals in the United States, sometimes with life-altering effects, 
        and many perpetrators will never be brought to justice;
Whereas sexual assault can happen to anyone, regardless of demographic or 
        socioeconomic background, but research suggests that American Indians 
        and Alaska Natives experience rates of sexual violence that 
        significantly surpass such rates of other populations in the United 
        States, according to the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence;
Whereas victims of sexual violence usually know their abuser, according to the 
        Office for Victims of Crime at the Department of Justice, which recently 
        lost a tireless advocate for crime survivors with the death of its 
        longtime director, Joye Frost; and
Whereas many sexual violence survivors suffer emotional complications, such as 
        post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse, major depression, 
        homelessness, eating disorders, and even suicide, long after their 
        physical scars have healed, according to the National Sexual Violence 
        Resource Center: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That--
            (1) this resolution represents the great appreciation of, 
        and an expression of support by, the Senate for the work of 
        individuals in the United States who have provided and continue 
        to provide an essential service to advance the safety and 
        emotional wellness of survivors of sexual violence during the 
        national emergency declared by the President under the National 
        Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) with respect to the 
        Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19);
            (2) the Senate remains committed to promoting the 
        awareness, prevention, and deterrence of sexual violence 
        affecting individuals in the United States, including during 
        such national emergency;
            (3) it is the sense of the Senate that it is appropriate to 
        properly acknowledge survivors of sexual assault and commend 
        the volunteers and professionals who assist such survivors in 
        their efforts to heal;
            (4) the Senate extends its appreciation to the staff and 
        volunteers of national and community organizations for their 
        tireless efforts in supporting survivors of sexual assault 
        throughout the year, but especially during such national 
        emergency; and
            (5) public safety, law enforcement, and health 
        professionals should be recognized and applauded for their 
        continued efforts to ensure that perpetrators of sexual assault 
        are held accountable, both during such national emergency and 
        throughout the year.
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