Proclamation

WHEREAS

the U.S_ Bureau of Justice estimates every two minutes, a person in the United States is sexually assaulted; and

WHEREAS

sexual assault is a crime that affects all Tempe residents regardless of identity including culture, ethnicity, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation or ability; and

WHEREAS

when a person is victimized, there is a lasting impact on the victim and their family, friends, school, colleagues and community; and

WHEREAS

as a community, we have the ability to prevent sexual assault by working together to raise awareness and actively address the need for education, empathy and resources for victims and perpetrators: and

WHEREAS

we can educate Tempe residents about the root causes of sexual violence and ways to eliminate those conditions through educating and creating dialogue about sexual violence, actively resisting and addressing oppression, advocating and expressing our empathy and support for survivors of sexual violence, seeking help for those who are hurting others or themselves, and working to hold perpetrators accountable in meaningful ways,