Body
WHEREAS, April is nationally designated as Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a time to focus public attention on the epidemic of sexual violence in this country. Pittsburgh Action Against Rape (PAAR) has provided quality services to victims of sexual violence for 32 years; and
WHEREAS, Pittsburgh Action Against Rape provides a twenty-four hour response to individuals in a crisis; child and family therapy; adult counseling; crisis counseling; hospital, medical, and legal advocacy to victims and their families free of charge; and
WHEREAS, Twenty-four years ago, PAAR established a court precedent marking the first judicial recognition of the confidentiality of counselor/client communication; Pittsburgh Action Against Rape has worked tirelessly to bring sexual violence issues into mainstream consciousness and to advocate for victims in the justice system; and
WHEREAS, Pittsburgh Action Against Rape recognizes the healing opportunity that art can provide for survivors and will be hosting its Seventh Annual Survivor Art Show on Saturday, April 24th. PAAR applauds the courage, strength, and perseverance of the artist in creating and displaying their works. Survivors from throughout the United States have contributed their works to this show; it is a tremendous collection of drawings, paintings, and writings; and
WHEREAS, April 20th is designated as "A Day to End Sexual Violence"; It is time to reflect on how sexual violence affects every person in our communities and to plan how men and women can work together to change attitudes and behaviors. To ignore sexual violence is to condone it.
title
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh extends its thanks and appreciation to the Pittsburgh Action Against Rape for their individual and collective efforts to make their dream for "a country where no sexual violence victim goes un-served or ever feels that there is no path to justice" a reality.
BE IT FUR...
Click here for full text