PHOENIX — Governor Katie Hobbs proclaimed the month of April to be Sexual Assault Awareness Month to raise awareness about sexual assault, provide support for survivors, and strive to achieve a state where sexual assault victims have a clear path to justice, and our communities, families, and children are protected.

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WHEREAS, rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment harm our communities and have widespread physical and psychological consequences, such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, re-occurring reproductive and sexual health problems; and

WHEREAS, over half of women and almost 1 in 3 men have experienced sexual violence involving physical contact during their lifetime; and

WHEREAS, individuals with disabilities are almost 4 times more likely to be violently victimized, and individuals 65 and older are 7 times more likely to be violently victimized; and

WHEREAS, only 310 out of every 1,000 sexual assaults are reported to law enforcement. That means more than 2 out of 3 go unreported; and

WHEREAS, the Arizona Department of Public Safety indicates 2,899 sexual assaults were reported to law enforcement in 2023; and

WHEREAS, victim service providers, law enforcement agencies, medical providers, and court personnel across Arizona have made significant contributions to support victims and their family members in the healing process; 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, Katie Hobbs, Governor of the State of Arizona, do hereby proclaim April 2024 as,

SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH

and encourage citizens to join together and raise awareness about sexual assault, provide support for survivors, and strive to achieve a state where sexual assault victims have a clear path to justice and our communities are protected.