3.1 Proclamation Sexual Assault AwarenessSEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, sexual violence is a widespread, preventable, public health problem in Kansas; and
WHEREAS, sexual violence is any sexual act that is perpetrated against someone's will, which
includes sexual assault, rape, unwanted touching, threatened sexual violence, and verbal sexual
harassment; and all types of sexual violence involve victims who do not consent, or who are
unable to consent, or who refuse to allow the act; and
WHEREAS, 1 in 3 women and nearly 1 in 6 men experience some form of contact sexual violence
in their lifetimes; and
WHEREAS, in 2021, one incident of rape was reported to Kansas law enforcement every 7 hours,
19 minutes, 6 seconds; and
WHEREAS, these statistics do not represent the true prevalence of sexual violence due to
underreporting; and sex offenders often target people they perceive as vulnerable, less powerful,
or less credible; and
WHEREAS, the offender is known to the victim in the vast majority ofcases -78% in Kansas; and
WHEREAS, the effects of sexual violence may be felt directly after or for many months or years
later; and confusion, anger, sadness, shame, guilt, helplessness, hopelessness, and self-blame are
all common reactions to sexual violence; and
WHEREAS, the Domestic Violence Association of Central Kansas, also known as DVACK, provides
24/7 /365, free and confidential services to victims ofsexual violence in the City of Salina, KS; and
WHEREAS, DVACK advocates are available 24/7 at (785)827-5862 or toll free at 1-800-874-1499.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Michael L. Hop pock, Mayor ofthe City of Salina, Kansas, do hereby proclaim
the month of April 2023 as:
SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH
in the city of Salina, Kansas, and urge citizens to participate in this observance.
Dated this 10th day of April, 2023.
Michael L. Hoppock, Mayor