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Recognizing and Celebrating Women Organized Against Rape and its 2018 Wear Teal Day kicking off Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
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WHEREAS, Women Organized Against Rape (WOAR) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to eliminate sexual violence through specialized treatment services, comprehensive prevention education programs, and advocacy for the rights of survivors of sexual assault. WOAR provides free counseling for women, men, and children who have experienced sexual violence; and
WHEREAS, Since 2001, April has been observed as National Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). SAAM is an annual campaign to raise public awareness about sexual assault and educate communities and individuals on how to prevent sexual violence; and
WHEREAS, In Philadelphia, 1,100 cases of rape were reported in 2017. The police made 383 arrests in relation to these reports of rape. However, just one third of sexual assault cases are reported to the police; and
WHEREAS, More than half (54%) of American women have experienced unwanted and inappropriate sexual advances from men. One out of every six American women has been a victim of an attempted or completed rape in her lifetime; and
WHEREAS, On average, there are 321,500 victims (age 12 or older) of rape and sexual assault each year in the United States. Every 98 seconds someone in the U.S. is sexually assaulted; and
WHEREAS, Teal is the color chosen to represent and raise awareness for sexual assault survivors. WOAR is encouraging individuals across the City to wear something teal to show your support for victims of sexual violence and for those working to end violence in our homes, community, and nation; and
WHEREAS, Wear Teal Day in Philadelphia, PA is Thursday, April 5, 2018; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby recognize and celebrate Women Organized Against Rape and its 2018 Teal Day to kick-off Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Women Organized Against Rape, as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.
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