Senate Resolution Making April ‘Sexual Assault Awareness Month’ Approved

by | April 4, 2016 | News Releases

HARRISBURG, April 4, 2016 – State Sens. Christine Tartaglione and Rob Teplitz today won approval of a resolution marking April as “Sexual Assault Awareness Month” in Pennsylvania.

Sen. Tartaglione said increasing awareness is vital because 20 percent of women and one-in-33 men will experience sexual assault sometime during their lifetimes.

“The more we talk about sexual assault and the more educated people become about sexual assault, the better chance we have of preventing it,” Tartaglione said during floor remarks today. “And yet, the majority of sexual assaults are never reported to the police. We need to act to stop the violence now.”

Tartaglione said about 63 percent of sexual assault victims do not tell police about the crime committed against them.

“By teaching people how to recognize the signs of sexual abuse and what to do when someone is assaulted and abused. Every one of us can make a difference in someone’s life,” she said.

Sen. Tartaglione also applauded the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape, a Harrisburg-based advocacy group that works to stop sexual assault and defend the rights of victims, for its work. On its website, PCAR defines sexual violence as “any type of unwanted sexual contact, ranging from sexist attitudes and actions to rape and murder.”

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Sens. Tartaglione, Teplitz Make April ‘Sexual Assault Awareness Month’

by | April 13, 2015 | News Releases

HARRISBURG, April 13, 2015 – Thanks to the legislative efforts of Sens. Christine M. Tartaglione and Rob Teplitz, April in Pennsylvania is now “Sexual Assault Awareness Month.”

April became “Sexual Assault Awareness Month” when the senators successfully introduced a resolution making it so.

“By taking precautionary steps in our schools, across college campuses and in workplaces, by teaching people how to recognize the signs of sexual abuse and what to do when someone is assaulted and abused, every one of us can make a difference in someone’s life,” Sen. Tartaglione said today while introducing the resolution on the floor of the Senate.

Tartaglione credited organizations like the National Sexual Violence Resource Center for taking steps to combat and prevent sexual assault, and help survivors gain counseling services so they can overcome their nightmare.

“Sexual assault is a serious issue that affects all of us. And, the more we talk about it and educate people about it, the better chance we have of preventing it,” Tartaglione said.

“We need to act now to stop the violence.”

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Follow Sen. Christine Tartaglione on Facebook, Twitter and via her website.