,,iii #aafth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 ,,res4 #eee ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,may #d1 #bjbj,mr4 ,grassley 7for himself1 ,mr4 ,peters1 ,mr4 ,crapo1 ,mr4 ,jones1 and ,mr4 ,tillis7 submitted the following resolution2 which was referred to the ,committee on the ,judiciary ,,resolution ,recognizing and supporting the advocates1 counselors1 volunteers1 and first responders who served survivors on an emergency basis during ,national ,sexual ,assault ,awareness and ,prevention ,month4 ,whereas the #aith anniversary of ,national ,sexual ,assault ,awareness and ,prevention ,month1 which took place in ,april #bjbj1 provides the people of the ,united ,states with an opportunity to reflect on the substantial contributions made by the individuals who respond to1 and advocate on behalf of1 survivors of sexual violence2 ,whereas the first rape crisis center1 established in ,san ,francisco1 ,california1 in #aiga1 was the natural outgrowth of years of peer-to-peer support by advocates for women and civil rights advocates in communities across the ,united ,states2 ,whereas1 nearly #e decades later1 rape crisis centers across the ,united ,states continue to be on the front lines in responding to the needs of sexual assault survivors1 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 7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 #afja et seq47 with respect to the ,coronavirus ,disease #bjai 7,,covid-#ai72 ,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 emergency2 ,whereas the ,national ,sexual ,assault ,hotline 7#hjj-fef-;,,hope7 has fielded more than #a1jjj1jjj calls since its inception1 providing free and confidential help to sexual assault survivors1 with the active involvement of many such nonprofit organizations2 ,whereas sexual violence affects some individuals who serve in the ,armed ,forces1 according to the ,department of ,defense1 which recently launched the ,safe ,helpline 7#hgg-iie-ebdg71 through which thousands of members of the ,armed ,forces who annually report some form of sexual assault may receive free and confidential help2 ,whereas1 during such national emergency1 additional resources are available to victims of violent crime through the ,national ,center for ,victims of ,crime1 which operates the ,national ,hotline for ,crime ,victims 7#hee-d-,,victim72 ,whereas1 during such national emergency1 first responders1 including police1 firefighters1 and emergency medical technicians1 have worked tirelessly to provide emergency services and respond to crime survivors2 ,whereas1 during such national emergency1 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 evidence2 ,whereas1 each year1 crimes of sexual violence harm hundreds of thousands of individuals in the ,united ,states1 sometimes with life-altering effects1 and many perpetrators will never be brought to justice2 ,whereas sexual assault can happen to anyone1 regardless of demographic or socioeconomic background1 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 ,states1 according to the ,national ,alliance to ,end ,sexual ,violence2 ,whereas victims of sexual violence usually know their abuser1 according to the ,office for ,victims of ,crime at the ,department of ,justice1 which recently lost a tireless advocate for crime survivors with the death of its longtime director1 ,joye ,frost2 and ,whereas many sexual violence survivors suffer emotional complications1 such as post-traumatic stress disorder1 substance abuse1 major depression1 homelessness1 eating disorders1 and even suicide1 long after their physical scars have healed1 according to the ,national ,sexual ,violence ,resource ,center3 ,now1 therefore1 be it ,that-- 7#a7 this resolution represents the great appreciation of1 and an expression of support by1 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 7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 #afja et seq47 with respect to the ,coronavirus ,disease #bjai 7,,covid-#ai72 7#b7 the ,senate remains committed to promoting the awareness1 prevention1 and deterrence of sexual violence affecting individuals in the ,united ,states1 including during such national emergency2 7#c7 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 heal2 7#d7 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 year1 but especially during such national emergency2 and 7#e7 public safety1 law enforcement1 and health professionals should be recognized and applauded for their continued efforts to ensure that perpetrators of sexual assault are held accountable1 both during such national emergency and throughout the year4