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Agenda Item No. 5(E) CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL CERRITO PROCLAMATION April 2013 is Sexual Assault Awareness Month WHEREAS, in California there were 7,828 forcible rapes in 2012 and 169 forcible rapes reported in Contra Costa County in the same year, 1 completed rape and 1 attempted rape in El Cerrito; with an increasing number affecting adolescents; and WHEREAS, sexual assault affects every person of Contra Costa County as a victim/survivor or as a family member, significant other, neighbor or co-worker of a victim/survivor; and WHEREAS, many citizens of Contra Costa County are working to provide quality services and assistance to sexual assault survivors; and dedicated volunteers help staff 24-hour hotlines, respond to emergency calls and offer support, comfort and advocacy during medical exams, criminal proceedings, and throughout the healing process; and WHEREAS, staff and volunteers of Community Violence Solutions and its Rape Crisis Center, Children's Interview Center, Prevention Dept., and Anti-Trafficking Project programs in Contra Costa County are promoting education by offering training to schools, churches, and civic organizations, as well as medical, mental health, law enforcement, education, and criminal justice personnel regarding sexual assault issues; and WHEREAS, it is vitally important that continued educational efforts to provide information about prevention and services for sexual assault be supported and enhanced; and WHEREAS, it is critical to intensify public awareness of sexual assault, to educate people about the need for citizen involvement in efforts to reduce sexual violence, to increase support for agencies providing sexual assault services, and to increase awareness of the healing power of creative expression; and WHEREAS, Community Violence Solutions requests public support and assistance as it continues to work toward a society where all women, children, and men can live in peace, free from violence and exploitation. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the City Council of the City of El Cerrito hereby proclaims the month of April 2014 as Sexual Assault Awareness month along with the United States Government and State of California and joins anti-sexual violence advocates and support service programs in the belief that all community members must be part of the solution to end sexual violence. Dated: April 22, 2014 Janet Abelson, Mayor