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8 <br /> WHEREAS, the coordination of the Orange County Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault <br /> Response Committee (DVSARC) is bringing together members of law enforcement, the <br /> medical community, the legal system, and other community advocates to improve services for <br /> survivors of sexual assault who come forward; and <br /> WHEREAS, 1 in 5 American women have been sexually assaulted at some point in their lives <br /> (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2010); and <br /> WHEREAS, in the United States the estimated lifetime cost for all adult rape survivors is nearly <br /> $3.1 trillion, with government sources paying an estimated one-third of those costs, based on <br /> factors including medical costs, lost earnings, and criminal justice expenses. (Centers for <br /> Disease Control and Prevention, 2017); and <br /> WHEREAS, in the United States 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have experienced some form of <br /> sexual or physical violence committed by an intimate partner (Centers for Disease Control and <br /> Prevention, 2010); and <br /> WHEREAS, trans and gender non-conforming people, people with disabilities, and children face <br /> the highest rates of sexual violence in our country; and <br /> WHEREAS, victim-blaming continues to be an enormous problem in instances of rape and <br /> sexual assault; and <br /> WHEREAS, the Orange County Rape Crisis Center, a nonprofit agency that has served this <br /> community since 1974, is working to stop sexual violence and its impact through support, <br /> education, and advocacy; <br /> NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, <br /> do hereby proclaim the month of April 2021 as "SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH," <br /> and encourage all residents to speak out against sexual violence and to support their local <br /> community's efforts to prevent and respond to these appalling crimes. <br /> This the 20th day of April 2021. <br /> Renee Price, Chair <br /> Orange County Board of Commissioners <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner Hamilton, seconded by Commissioner McKee, to <br /> approve the proclamation designating April 2021 as "Sexual Assault Awareness Month" in <br /> Orange County, with the language suggested by Commissioner Hamilton, and authorize the <br /> Chair to sign the proclamation. <br /> Roll call ensued <br /> VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> Commissioner Fowler thanked to the Orange County Rape Crisis Center for its work, <br /> and especially highlighted the Center's work with parents of students with disabilities. <br />