WHEREAS, April is nationally recognized as Sexual Assault Awareness Month and the Peace Over Violence organization has declared April 24, 2024, as Denim Day. Both events draw attention to the misconceptions and misinformation about sexual violence, which remains a serious issue in our society; and

WHEREAS, sexual harassment is part of a continuum of violence with damaging effects that are felt throughout our culture. Harmful attitudes about all forms of sexual violence allow these issues to persist and allow victims and survivors to be revictimized; and

WHEREAS, every sixty-eight seconds an American is sexually assaulted and approximately one in six women is raped during her lifetime; and

WHEREAS, in Oklahoma, the rate of rape and attempted rape among females reported to law enforcement has been 35–45% higher than the United States rate for the past decade; and

WHEREAS, Oklahoma law enforcement reported 2,245 forcible and attempted rapes in 2020—which represented 12.5% of all violent crimes—and reported rape cases have increased 21% over the past three years, and 34.2% overall since 2013; and

WHEREAS, youth under eighteen years old account for about 44% of all reported sexual assaults, at least 25% of women experience sexual harassment in the workplace, and about 75% of sexual harassment victims experience retaliation when they report it; and

WHEREAS, sexual violence and its unfair and traumatizing effects are preventable with proper education on the matter and comprehensive prevention projects; and

WHEREAS, members of the Oklahoma State Senate strongly support the efforts of Peace Over Violence and the YWCA to educate persons in our state about the true impact of sexual harassment, abuse, assault, and rape.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE 2ND SESSION OF THE 59TH OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE:

THAT the Oklahoma State Senate recognizes the month of April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

THAT the Oklahoma State Senate designates April 24, 2024, as Denim Day and urges everyone to wear jeans on this day to help communicate the message that there is no excuse and there is never an invitation to harass, abuse, assault, or rape.

THAT a copy of this resolution be distributed to the YWCA.