Title
Recognizing April 2025 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Celebrating the Extraordinary Efforts of WOAR - Philadelphia Center Against Sexual Violence.
Body
WHEREAS, Since 2001, April has been observed as National Sexual Assault Awareness Month. This observed month is part of 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, 1,721 incidents of sexual assault and rape were reported in 2024. The police made 47 arrests in relation to these reports of rape. However, just one third of sexual assault cases are reported to the police. 63% of sexual cases are not reported to the police; and
WHEREAS, 1 in 4 women are survivors of sexual violence, 1 in 10 children are survivors of sexual violence, and 1 in 6 men are survivors of sexual violence. We still know that sexual assault is the most underreported crime to date we know that sexual assault disproportionately affects communities that sit on the margins; 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, Throughout the last twenty years this country has made great strides in bringing awareness to survivors of sexual assault. Historically, we have seen a culture that has been marked by veil, secrecy, and silence. Today we see a culture that is marked with empowerment, activism, and courage; and
WHEREAS, WOAR - Philadelphia Center Against Sexual Violence (WOAR) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to eliminate all forms of sexual violence through specialized treatment services, comprehensive prevention education programs, and advocacy for the rights of victims of sexual assault. Founded in 1971, WOAR is Philadelphia’s only rape crisis center and one of the first in the nation; and
WHEREAS, WOAR serves individuals from across the City. In 2024 alone, over 2,981 adults received direct services, 323 children received direct services, and 55 volunteers were trained to provide hotline support. Additionally, WOAR provided in-school prevention workshops to 11,834 school-aged children in Philadelphia, as well as 1,719 workshops to adult community members and city professionals; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Indira Henard is the Executive Director of WOAR. Dr. Henard’ s direct service experience in many gender-based violence programs have helped to inform her policy analysis that has led to coordinating public policy initiatives and organizing and planning spaces for survivor led advocacy. Spanning over 25 years of dedicated service in the violence against women's movement, Dr. Henard’ s experience exemplifies her expertise in non-profit management, organizational development, crisis management, education, training, fundraising and public policy. Dr. Henard has worked nationally and internationally in helping organizations build capacity to respond to the needs of sexual violence in their communities.; and celebrate the extraordinary efforts of WOAR - Philadelphia Center Against Sexual Violence; 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; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby recognizes April 2025 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month and celebrate the extraordinary efforts of WOAR - Philadelphia Center Against Sexual Violence.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this Resolution be presented to Dr. Indira Henard and Staff in sincere gratitude for their tireless work.
End