| WHEREAS, April 2011 has been
designated as "Sexual Assault Awareness
Month" in the United States Virgin Islands; and
WHEREAS, sexual violence violates a person's trust and
feeling of safety; and
WHEREAS, sexual violence is one of the single largest
causes of injury to women; and
WHEREAS, sexual violence occurs
anytime a person is forced, coerced and/or manipulated into unwanted sexual activity; and
WHEREAS , sexual violence includes rape, incest, child
sexual assault, ritual abuse, and acquaintance rape, statutory
rape, marital or partner rape, sexual exploitation, sexual
contact, sexual harassment, exposure and voyeurism; and
WHEREAS , sexual violence can be perpetrated by anyone from
a school teacher to a coworker, from a religious leader to an
athlete, from a date to a family member; and
WHEREAS, sexual violence places victims at a significantly
higher risk of experiencing long-term mental health consequences,
including suicide, eating disorders, substance abuse, promiscuity,
low self-esteem, psychiatric hospitalizations and post-traumatic
stress disorder; and
WHEREAS, " sexual assault is an urgent and
costly public health crisis" according to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention ; and
WHEREAS, there is a need to increase public awareness and
understanding of domestic sexual violence, to advocate for the
rights and needs of victims, to make prevention a priority, and to
work toward ending sexual violence in our communities;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, John P . de
Jonqh, Jr., Governor of the Virgin Islands of the United States, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands, as
amended, do hereby proclaim April 2011 as "Sexual
Assault Awareness Month" in the Virgin Islands. I call upon residents of
the Virgin Islands to join in this observance with our
social agencies, mental health providers and our victim service
providers, and to participate in the activities scheduled for this
month.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and
the Seal. of the Government of the Virgin Islands of the
States to be affixed at Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas,
Islands, this 16th day of February, A. D., 2011.
John P.
de Jongh, Jr.
Governor
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