Sexual Assault and Rape Awareness Month

Proclamation
By the Governor of Alabama

WHEREAS, one American is sexually assaulted every two minutes; and

WHEREAS, about 49 percent of rape victims are under the age of 18, and about 18 percent are under the age of 12; and

WHEREAS, one in six American women have been the victim of an attempted or completed rape; and

WHEREAS, rape and sexual assault affect women, children and men of all racial, cultural and economic backgrounds; and

WHEREAS, approximately two-thirds of sexual assaults are committed by someone who is known to the victim; and

WHEREAS, emotional and physical scars resulting from sexual violence are often severe and long lasting; and

WHEREAS, the Alabama Coalition Against Rape and its 16 member rape crisis centers are working diligently to improve services for victims and survivors of sexual assault, as well as prevent future sexual assaults through public awareness and services for victims; and

WHEREAS, the State of Alabama acknowledges the importance of designating April as “Sexual Assault and Rape Awareness Month,” and hope this designation will increase the general public’s awareness of sexual assault issues as well as encourage individuals to seek the help of those agencies providing services to rape victims throughout the state:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim April 2016, as

Sexual Assault and Rape Awareness Month

in the State of Alabama.

Given Under My Hand and the Great Seal of the Office of the Governor at the State Capitol in the City of Montgomery on the 1^st day of March 2016.

Robert Bentley
Governor