PHOENIX — Former Governor Doug Ducey 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 mental health implications, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, high blood pressure and sleep loss; and

WHEREAS, statistics show that every 68 seconds someone in the United States is sexually assaulted; and

WHEREAS, around one in three females and one in four males reported their first victimization occurred between the ages of 11 and 17; and

WHEREAS, individuals with disabilities are four times more likely to be violently victimized and individuals 65 and older are seven times more likely to be violently victimized; and

WHEREAS, 63 percent of violent crimes are not reported to law enforcement; and

WHEREAS, the Arizona Department of Public Safety indicates that 2,838 rapes were reported to law enforcement in 2020; and

WHEREAS, the majority of sexual assaults are not reported to police; and

WHEREAS, victim service providers, law enforcement agencies, medical providers, and court personnel across Arizona have made significant contributions to support victims and their families throughout the healing process; and

WHEREAS, expanding prevention education, increasing awareness, building a strong continuum of victim services, and holding perpetrators accountable, can create safer communities for all Arizonans.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Douglas A. Ducey, Governor of the State of Arizona, do hereby proclaim April 2022 as