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Adopt a resolution recognizing April 2025 as Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month in Solano County
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The District Attorney recommends that the Board of Supervisors adopt a resolution recognizing April 2025 as Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month in Solano County.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Every April, in communities throughout the United States, many motivated individuals, agencies, and organizations with a passion for sexual violence prevention take part in Sexual Assault Awareness Month, or SAAM. The goal of SAAM is to raise public awareness about sexual violence and educate communities on how to prevent it. Although one month alone is not enough to solve the serious and widespread issue of sexual violence, the attention that SAAM generates in April is an opportunity to energize and expand prevention efforts throughout the year. April 2025 is the 24th Anniversary of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The theme of this year’s Sexual Assault Awareness campaign is “Together We Act, United We Change.”
Although there are many ways to commemorate SAAM in our community, a resolution recognizing efforts being made is a key part in bringing forth awareness in Solano County, and shows support for victims and survivors in our county and nationwide. It is also imperative to provide the education needed to individuals on topics of consent and healthy relationships. The more we spread awareness and educate individuals, the more allies we have in the effort to support survivors and prevent sexual violence before it happens.
A sexual assault can happen anywhere and at any time. The majority of assaults occur in private places ordinarily thought to be safe, such as homes and offices. Some assaults even occur in public spaces with multiple witnesses. Sexual offenders can come from all educational, occupational, racial, and cultural backgrounds. Nearly 1 in 6 women and 1 in 33 men in the U.S. have experienced rape or attempted rape at some time in their lives; one in three women and one in six men have experienced some form of contact sexual violence in their lifetime; and one in every seven victims of sexual assault is under the age of six.
Sexual violence thrives when it is not taken seriously, and victim-blaming goes unchecked. Annually, rape costs the U.S. more than any other crime ($127 billion), and rape is the most under-reported crime, as 63% of sexual assaults are not reported to police.
The District Attorney’s Office Victim Witness Unit is committed to assisting victims of sexual violence. Ultimately, the goal is to break the cycle of violence by offering victims and survivors the opportunity to build hope and new futures free from violence.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The costs associated with preparing the agenda item are nominal and absorbed by the department’s FY2024/25 Working Budget. The costs associated with preparation and purchase of the resolution materials are included in the Board’s FY2024/25 Working Budget.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board may choose not to present a resolution recognizing April 2025 as Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. However, this is not recommended, as this is a national awareness month which has been recognized annually in Solano County.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Solano Family Justice Center provides services and information under one roof for survivors and families affected by not just sexual assault but domestic violence, child abuse, elder abuse, and human trafficking and works collaboratively with the District Attorney’s Office Victim Witness Unit, the County Administrator’s Office of Family Violence Prevention, the Fairfield Police Department’s Domestic Violence Unit, the Vacaville Police Department FIRST Office, Fighting Back Partnership, SafeQuest Solano, Travis Air Force Base’s Family Advocacy Office, Kaiser Permanente’s Family Violence Prevention Team, Victims Empowerment Support Team (VEST), Napa Solano SANE-SART, Solano County Health & Social Services, and many others that serve those affected by sexual violence.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION