[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 83 (Monday, May 4, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S2216]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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   SENATE RESOLUTION 555--RECOGNIZING AND SUPPORTING THE ADVOCATES, 
COUNSELORS, VOLUNTEERS, AND FIRST RESPONDERS WHO SERVED SURVIVORS ON AN 
EMERGENCY BASIS DURING NATIONAL SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS AND PREVENTION 
                                 MONTH

  Mr. GRASSLEY (for himself, Mr. Peters, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Jones, and Mr. 
Tillis) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 555

       Whereas the 19th anniversary of National Sexual Assault 
     Awareness and Prevention Month, which took place in April 
     2020, provides the people of the United States with an 
     opportunity to reflect on the substantial contributions made 
     by the individuals who respond to, and advocate on behalf of, 
     survivors of sexual violence;
       Whereas the first rape crisis center, established in San 
     Francisco, California, in 1971, was the natural outgrowth of 
     years of peer-to-peer support by advocates for women and 
     civil rights advocates in communities across the United 
     States;
       Whereas, nearly 5 decades later, rape crisis centers across 
     the United States continue to be on the front lines in 
     responding to the needs of sexual assault survivors, going 
     above and beyond to empower and improve the lives of these 
     crime victims during the national emergency declared by the 
     President under the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 
     et seq.) with respect to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-
     19);
       Whereas thousands of volunteers and personnel at State 
     coalitions against sexual assault have partnered with rape 
     crisis centers and national nonprofit organizations across 
     the country to extend crisis hotline and other services to 
     survivors of sexual assault during such national emergency;
       Whereas the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800-656-HOPE) 
     has fielded more than 1,000,000 calls since its inception, 
     providing free and confidential help to sexual assault 
     survivors, with the active involvement of many such nonprofit 
     organizations;
       Whereas sexual violence affects some individuals who serve 
     in the Armed Forces, according to the Department of Defense, 
     which recently launched the Safe Helpline (877-995-5247), 
     through which thousands of members of the Armed Forces who 
     annually report some form of sexual assault may receive free 
     and confidential help;
       Whereas, during such national emergency, additional 
     resources are available to victims of violent crime through 
     the National Center for Victims of Crime, which operates the 
     National Hotline for Crime Victims (855-4-VICTIM); 
       Whereas, during such national emergency, first responders, 
     including police, firefighters, and emergency medical 
     technicians, have worked tirelessly to provide emergency 
     services and respond to crime survivors; 
       Whereas, during such national emergency, sexual assault 
     forensic nurses have played an essential role in meeting the 
     needs of crime victims by responding with empathy to victims 
     in the immediate aftermath of their assault and ensuring the 
     successful collection of crime scene evidence; 
       Whereas, each year, crimes of sexual violence harm hundreds 
     of thousands of individuals in the United States, sometimes 
     with life altering effects, and many perpetrators will never 
     be brought to justice;
       Whereas sexual assault can happen to anyone, regardless of 
     demographic or socioeconomic background, but research 
     suggests that American Indians and Alaska Natives experience 
     rates of sexual violence that significantly surpass such 
     rates of other populations in the United States, according to 
     the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence;
       Whereas victims of sexual violence usually know their 
     abuser, according to the Office for Victims of Crime at the 
     Department of Justice, which recently lost a tireless 
     advocate for crime survivors with the death of its longtime 
     director, Joye Frost; and
       Whereas many sexual violence survivors suffer emotional 
     complications, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, 
     substance abuse, major depression, homelessness, eating 
     disorders, and even suicide, long after their physical scars 
     have healed, according to the National Sexual Violence 
     Resource Center: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That--
       (1) this resolution represents the great appreciation of, 
     and an expression of support by, the Senate for the work of 
     individuals in the United States who have provided and 
     continue to provide an essential service to advance the 
     safety and emotional wellness of survivors of sexual violence 
     during the national emergency declared by the President under 
     the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) with 
     respect to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19);
       (2) the Senate remains committed to promoting the 
     awareness, prevention, and deterrence of sexual violence 
     affecting individuals in the United States, including during 
     such national emergency;
       (3) it is the sense of the Senate that it is appropriate to 
     properly acknowledge survivors of sexual assault and commend 
     the volunteers and professionals who assist such survivors in 
     their efforts to heal;
       (4) the Senate extends its appreciation to the staff and 
     volunteers of national and community organizations for their 
     tireless efforts in supporting survivors of sexual assault 
     throughout the year, but especially during such national 
     emergency; and
       (5) public safety, law enforcement, and health 
     professionals should be recognized and applauded for their 
     continued efforts to ensure that perpetrators of sexual 
     assault are held accountable, both during such national 
     emergency and throughout the year.

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