STATE OF NEW YORK 
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER 
Proclamation

Whereas, sexual assault is a despicable crime that affects victims, families and our entire society – tragically, crimes that are sexually violent in nature continue to rank among the most prevalent in our society, and furthermore they create some of the most widespread public health problems in our communities; and

Whereas, sexually violent crimes such as rape and assault can result in severe physical and traumatic psychological problems, both immediate and long-term, and can become a burden for survivors and society in general, whereby victims of sexual violence may experience a variety of long-term physical and psychological problems such as post traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, substance abuse, depression, anxiety, low self esteem and suicide; and

Whereas, the New York State Department of Health supports programs and policies that address sexual violence prevention and is committed to providing quality services to sexual assault survivors in order to help them overcome the enormous trauma of an attack and ensure successful prosecution of perpetrators; and

Whereas, the New York State Department of Health supports a Rape Crisis Center in every county of the state that provides important services such as 24-hour hotlines, advocacy, accompaniment, crisis intervention and more to victims of sexual violence and their family members, and these Rape Crisis Centers also provide primary prevention educational programs in their communities to work towards changing community norms that allow sexual violence to occur; and

Whereas, the New York State Department of Health-certified Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE) 24-hour Center of Excellence hospitals and certified SAFE examiners provide competent, compassionate and prompt care to survivors of sexual assault so as to help survivors overcome the impact of the attack and increase conviction rates of perpetrators; and

Whereas, New York State recognizes the important work of certified SAFE hospitals and statewide Rape Crisis Centers and the services they offer to victims of sexual violence as well as services offered to the community in general, as well as the dedication and hard work of their staff and volunteers; and

Whereas, every person in New York State has the right to live free from unwanted, non-consensual sexual contact and our children especially must be protected from all sexual violence, and by taking a firm stand against crimes of sexual assault and sexual violence, New York State will have continued success in creating social change by eliminating from our society those elements which threaten the safety and welfare of our children and families, as such staunch advocacy has enabled this State to achieve dramatic reductions in every category of crime, resulting in safer communities for all New Yorkers;

Now, Therefore, I, David A. Paterson, Governor of the State of New York, do hereby proclaim April 2008 as

SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH

in the Empire State.

Given under my hand and the Privy Seal of the State at the Capitol in the City of Albany this nineteenth day of March in the year two thousand eight.

David A. Paterson
Governor