April 2023: Sexual Assault Awareness Month

WHEREAS, sexual assault is broadly defined as one or more persons choosing to use force, threat of force, intimidation, manipulation, and/or coercion to obtain any form of unwanted sexual contact with another person; and,

WHEREAS, Sexual Assault Awareness Month recognizes the strength and courage of the survivors of sexual assault or abuse; and,

WHEREAS, the goal of Sexual Assault Awareness Month is to raise public awareness around the impact of sexual violence and educate communities on prevention methods; and,

WHEREAS, survivors of sexual assault are represented in every Michigan community as well as sexual orientation, religion, race, ability, age, and gender identity; and,

WHEREAS, 2021 Michigan State Police statistics indicate that nearly 11,000 sexual offenses were reported to law enforcement; and,

WHEREAS, about eight in ten perpetrators of sexual assault know their victim; and, 

WHEREAS, according to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, one in five women and one in 16 men reported being sexually assaulted while in college; and, 

WHEREAS, sexual violence often has a deep and enduring impact on survivors and their psychological, emotional, social, and physical health; and,

WHEREAS, access to informed, supportive, and inclusive services can greatly increase survivors’ ability to heal from sexual assault; and,

WHEREAS, we join with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Victim Services, the Michigan Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention and Treatment Board, and sexual assault/abuse advocates across the state to acknowledge the importance of working together to educate our communities about sexual violence prevention, supporting survivors, and speaking out against harmful attitudes and actions that support a culture that fosters the acceptance of sexual violence;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim April 2023 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in Michigan.