Senate Resolution No. 1389

BY: Senator PERSAUD

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
April 2026, as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in the
State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to commemorate
and increase awareness of issues that are of significance for the
citizens of this great Nation and Empire State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 2026, as Sexual
Assault Awareness Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with
the observance of National Sexual Assault Awareness Month; and

WHEREAS, Sexual assault and sexual harassment harm our communities,
with statistics showing that nearly every minute, an American is
sexually assaulted, and every nine minutes, that victim is a child; and

WHEREAS, Only twenty-five out of every 1,000 perpetrators will end
up in prison; and

WHEREAS, 423,020 people, aged 12 years and older, experience sexual
violence each year in the United States; and

WHEREAS, 54% of sexual violence victims are aged 18-34; 63,000
children are reported to have been sexually abused every year; and

WHEREAS, One in six women in the United States has experienced
attempted or completed rape in their lifetime; and

WHEREAS, One in 33 American men have experienced an attempted or
completed rape in their life; and

WHEREAS, 82% of underaged rape victims and 90% of adult rape victims
are female; and

WHEREAS, 68.5% of sexual assaults occur at or near the victims'
homes or their relatives' homes; 23% of sexual assaults occur in open
public places; 8.5% of sexual assaults occur on school properties or
other locations; and

WHEREAS, We must work together to educate our communities about
sexual violence prevention, supporting survivors and speaking out
against harmful attitudes and actions which condone sexual assault; and

WHEREAS, When we actively get involved we can prevent sexual
violence by increasing education, awareness and community involvement;
and

WHEREAS, It is time to create a safer environment in the workplace,
the community and the world for all; and

WHEREAS, April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and each day of the
year is an opportunity to create change for the future; and

WHEREAS, Sexual assault is a horrific act of crime which deserves
the attention of this Legislative Body; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to pro- claim April 2026, as Sexual
Assault Awareness Month in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York; and to the New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault.