[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 43 (Wednesday, March 31, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E494]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          RECOGNIZING APRIL AS SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. LOIS CAPPS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 31, 2004

  Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize April as Sexual 
Assault Awareness Month. Rape and sexual assault affects women, 
children, and men of all racial, cultural, and economic backgrounds. I 
commend the work of local organizations to end this type of violence.
  The importance of these issues is illustrated by statistics that 
indicate that there were 10,176 forcible rapes reported in 2002; and 
that the Bureau of Justice Statistics estimates that over 70 percent of 
rapes are never reported to police; and that one in three women, one in 
four girls, one in six boys and one in eleven men will be victims of 
sexual violence at least once in their lifetimes.
  While one person, organization, agency or community cannot eliminate 
sexual assault on their own, we must work together to educate our 
entire society about what can be done to prevent sexual assault, as 
well as to support survivors and their significant others, and increase 
support for agencies providing these services.
  Santa Barbara Rape Crisis Center has led the way in Santa Barbara in 
addressing sexual assault by providing 24-hour hotline services to 
survivors and their significant others, responding to emergency calls, 
offering support and comfort to those impacted by sexual assault during 
medical exams, criminal proceedings, and empowering those impacted by 
sexual assault to chart their own course for healing.
  Santa Barbara Rape Crisis Center has set an important example of how 
forging collaborative relationships between service agencies and 
organizations improves the quality of service for those most profoundly 
and directly impacted by sexual violence.
  Ending sexual assault in Santa Barbara must include active public and 
private efforts in collaboration with Santa Barbara Rape Crisis Center, 
including dialogue about what sexual violence is, how to prevent it and 
how to help survivors connect with crucial counseling and support 
services.
  As a nurse, I understand firsthand the importance of education as it 
pertains to healthcare and to the prevention and elimination of sexual 
assault. I commend the efforts of the Santa Barbara Rape Crisis Center 
as they work to educate our community and provide crucial services to 
victims and their family members and significant others.
  I want to express my strong support for all programs aimed at the 
elimination of sexual violence and hereby proclaim April as Sexual 
Assault Awareness Month.

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