WHEREAS, the crime of sexual assault violates an individual's privacy, dignity, security, and humanity; and
WHEREAS, the crime of sexual assault violates an individual's privacy, dignity, security, and humanity; and
WHEREAS, sexual violence affects millions of people across the United States, with over one in three women and one in four men having experienced sexual violence in their lifetimes, according to the CDC; and
WHEREAS, in the 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 19% of lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) youths reported having been forced to have sex and 14% missed school due to safety concerns; and
WHEREAS, organizations across Nevada are taking a stand against sexual assault and are dedicated to sexual assault prevention and education efforts to change societal beliefs and behaviors that perpetuate sexual assault; and
WHEREAS, the consequences of sexual assault are severe, ranging from physical and psychological suffering to financial burden arising from medical costs and lost productivity; and
WHEREAS, some survivors of sexual violence remain silent about their trauma, due to fears of retribution from their attacker. Survivors of sexual assault should be affirmed that they are not alone, and know that there are resources in place to help them and regardless of the circumstances, a victim is never to blame; and
WHEREAS, the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services offers a service to help individuals get access to mental health counseling and other resources by calling 2-1-1 or visiting nevada211.org; and
WHEREAS, those who wish to show their support for survivors of sexual violence are encouraged to wear a teal ribbon throughout the month of April; and
WHEREAS, anyone can be a leader in preventing and ending sexual violence. We all have a responsibility to uphold the basic principle that every individual should be free from violence and fear and through honest conversations about consent and by providing environments where men and women feel safe, we can create a world free of sexual assault;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, STEVE SISOLAK, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, do hereby proclaim the month of April 2022, as
SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH IN NEVADA