The term itself is horrific, and the act, traumatizing.

Every 73 seconds an American is sexually assaulted and 1 in 6 women as well as 1 in 33 men are survivors. Within the transgender community, 47% of people are sexually assaulted within their lifetime. Even the military is not exempt, as more than 20,000 military service members have reported an assault, and in the case of Vanessa Guillen, little is done to resolve it.

Survivors of child abuse are four times more likely to develop symptoms of drug abuse and three times more likely to experience major episodes of depression. In addition, symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder are more likely to occur, especially among women.

This evening Sexual Assault Survivors within Prince William County will speak out at the Human Rights Commission meeting. They will ask the Commission to pass the Sexual Assault Survivor Awareness Month Proclamation. The meeting will take place at 7:30pm at the McCoart Building in Board Chambers. Despite being written and supported by several survivors, the proclamation did not pass a year ago. Advocates Katelyn Page and Angela Henz each provided statements on the importance of passing this proclamation.

“We know that Sexual Assault Survivors are a vulnerable population and are often overlooked by the system,” said Page. “That is why a group of Survivors from across Prince William County have come together and are reviving last year’s Proclamation, which did not make it to Board Chambers for a vote. We are truly hopeful that this year it will be given priority.”

Henz emphasized the urgency in passing the proclamation. “Sexual assault is one of the few crimes where the victim is scrutinized as much as the suspect. Sometimes more so.”

“There are many reasons why those who have been assaulted don’t come forward, and we’ve all seen that sometimes even when victims do come forward, they don’t always receive justice, such as the Brock Turner case. We all heard during Tuesday’s Board of County Supervisors meeting what pitfalls in funding means for victims’ cases that have made it far enough for prosecution.”

“Sexual assault can happen to anyone. Whether you’re white, Black, purple, Republican, Democrat, rich, poor, straight, gay, military, female, male or non-binary. Sexual assault is weaponizing sex to assert power over another. Every single person knows someone who has been sexually assaulted. This proclamation is a way for us to reclaim some of the power that was stolen from us. We also wanted to make sure that we recognize the groups that are often overlooked in this discussion. Sexual assault should not be an accepted price to pay for being alive.”