A resolution recognizing and supporting the goals and ideals of National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month.
- Bill Number
- S.Res. 179
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Status
- Passed Senate
- Latest Action
- 2025-04-10: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S2577; text: CR S2574-2575)
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-16T15:12:20Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This Senate Resolution (S. Res. 179) formally recognizes April as National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. Its main goal is to raise public awareness about sexual violence, promote prevention efforts, support survivors, and encourage the prosecution of perpetrators. It expresses the Senate's commitment to addressing sexual assault as a widespread issue affecting people across the United States.
Key Provisions
- Background Facts ("Whereas" Clauses): The resolution highlights statistics on sexual violence, including:
- Prevalence: About 2 in 5 women and 1 in 4 men experience sexual or physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner (per CDC data).
- Child Victims: In 2023, over 546,000 children under 18 were confirmed victims of sexual abuse or neglect (per HHS report).
- Age of Onset: 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men who experienced rape first encountered it between ages 11 and 17 (per 2016/2017 survey).
- Military Impact: Around 29,000 service members (15,201 women and 13,860 men) faced sexual assault in 2023 (per Department of Defense estimates).
- Forms of Violence: Includes rape (acquaintance, stranger, spousal, gang), incest, child and elder abuse, exploitation of underserved communities, commercial sex trafficking, sexual harassment, and stalking.
- Disparities: Higher rates among American Indians and Alaska Natives; unique challenges for survivors of color.
- Consequences: Leads to PTSD, substance abuse, depression, homelessness, eating disorders, and suicide; lifetime cost per rape victim averages $122,461, totaling $3.1 trillion nationally (per CDC).
- Reporting and Justice Barriers: Many assaults go unreported due to short statutes of limitations (time limits for filing charges); DNA technology has solved many cold cases; incarceration prevents repeat offenses.
- Service Gaps: 48% of rape crisis centers lack on-site therapists; 70% saw increased demand in the past year.
- Support Resources: Praises organizations like RAINN (National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-HOPE or online at hotline.rainn.org), over 1,500 local rape crisis centers, and Department of Defense's Safe Helpline (877-995-5247 or SafeHelpline.org).
- Efforts: Recognizes coalitions, volunteers, staff, partnerships among justice agencies, health workers, educators, first responders, and victim services.
- Senate's Sense ("Resolved" Section):
- Views the month as an opportunity to educate the public, prevent assaults, improve survivor treatment, and prosecute offenders.
- Acknowledges survivors and commends volunteers, professionals, organizations, law enforcement, and health workers for their roles in awareness, support, and accountability.
- Supports the goals and ideals of National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This is a non-binding resolution, so it introduces no changes to laws, statutes, or policies. It does not amend statutes of limitations, funding, or enforcement mechanisms but highlights existing issues like reporting barriers and DNA advancements without mandating action.
Potential Impacts
- On Citizens: Increases public education and awareness, potentially encouraging more reporting, seeking help, and community involvement in prevention. It promotes access to free, confidential services like hotlines, benefiting survivors and their families (e.g., RAINN helps over 300,000 people yearly).
- On Government Agencies: No direct mandates, but it applauds agencies like the CDC, HHS, and Department of Defense for data and support programs, possibly fostering continued collaboration without new requirements.
- On International Relations: None; the resolution focuses solely on domestic U.S. issues.
- Broader Effects: May indirectly boost funding or attention to sexual violence prevention through heightened visibility, though it lacks enforceable measures.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Survivors and Victims: Directly acknowledged, with emphasis on their healing and access to justice.
- Support Organizations: Rape crisis centers, RAINN, state/Tribal coalitions, culturally specific groups, and nonprofits providing hotlines, counseling, and advocacy.
- Volunteers and Professionals: Staff at crisis centers, therapists, educators, first responders, and victim service providers.
- Law Enforcement and Justice System: Police, prosecutors, and courts, praised for using tools like DNA to hold perpetrators accountable.
- Health and Public Health Workers: Doctors, counselors, and agencies addressing trauma's physical and mental health effects.
- Military Personnel: Active-duty members and Department of Defense community, highlighted for facing high assault rates.
- Underserved Communities: People of color, American Indians, Alaska Natives, children, elders, and those in trafficking situations, noting their disproportionate impacts.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: No binding effect; it is symbolic and cannot enforce changes like extending statutes of limitations or increasing funding. It references existing laws indirectly (e.g., criminal statutes) without altering them.
- Constitutional: Neutral; aligns with free speech and equal protection principles by promoting awareness without infringing on rights.
- Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (from senators across parties, including Grassley, Shaheen, Collins, and others) signals broad congressional consensus on the issue. As a resolution agreed to by the Senate on April 10, 2025, it serves as a platform for unity on public health and safety without partisan debate, potentially influencing future legislation on victim services or prevention.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (8)
Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH], Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME], Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV], Sen. Ernst, Joni [R-IA], Sen. Fetterman, John [D-PA], Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA], Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM], Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Recent Actions
- 2025-04-10: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S2577; text: CR S2574-2575)
- 2025-04-10: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.
- 2025-04-10: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Recognizing and supporting the goals and ideals of National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. — issued 2025-04-10 — PDF (6 pages)