Proclamation - Sexual Assault Awareness Month

PROCLAMATION
SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH
WHEREAS, rape, sexual assault, sexual coercion, and sexual violence is a public health problem
that impacts every community and affects people of all genders, sexual orientations, and ages; and
WHEREAS, sexual violence can occur in person, online, or through technology, including posting
or sharing sexual pictures of someone without their consent; and
WHEREAS, nationally, over 53% of women and over 22.3% of men reported experiencing sexual
violence involving physical contact during their lifetimes; and
WHEREAS, 47% of all transgender people have been sexually assaulted at some point in their
lives; and
WHEREAS, 32.9% of adults with intellectual disabilities have experienced sexual violence; and
WHEREAS, 1 in 2 American Indian and Alaska Native woman (56.1%) have experienced sexual
violence in their lifetime, 1 in 3 Hispanic women (34.8%) reported unwanted sexual contact and 1 in 4 non-
Hispanic Black women (29%) were raped in their lifetime; and
WHEREAS, trauma from sexual violence may impact a survivor's employment due to time off
from work, diminished performance, job loss, or inability to work, which can disrupt earning power and
have a long-term effect on the economic well-being of survivors and their families; and
WHEREAS, an estimated 75% of sexual assault victimizations go unreported each year,
underscoring the urgent need for trauma‑informed reporting, financial assistance, advocacy, and
comprehensive support services for survivors; and
WHEREAS, victim services, medical providers, law enforcement agencies, and court personnel
across Arizona have made significant contributions to support victims and their family members in the
healing process and the cycle of justice; and
WHEREAS, expanding prevention education, increasing awareness, building a strong continuum
of victim services, and holding perpetrators accountable contribute to safer communities for all Arizonans.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Mayor Alexis A. Hermosillo, do hereby proclaim April 2026 as
SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH and ask that our community work to keep our community
members safe from this crime, and to stand together with survivors and victims of sexual assault.
______________________________
Alexis A. Hermosillo, Mayor