Recognizing Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Honoring Women Organized Against Rape for Its Outstanding Work.

WHEREAS, The month of April has been designated Sexual Assault Awareness Month; and

WHEREAS, Women Organized Against Rape (WOAR) is the largest rape crisis center in the Delaware Valley and the second largest in the nation. Established out of the vital need to support victim/survivors of sexual assault and sexual abuse, WOAR has aided over a million children and adults through education, advocacy and counseling during times of desperate need and suffering; and

WHEREAS, Woman Organized Against Rape’s thirty-five years of experience ensures that individuals and families living in Philadelphia whose lives have been violently affected by rape, sexual assault, sexual abuse and other forms of violence, will receive expert, high quality compassion and care. The mission of Women Organized Against Rape is to eliminate all forms of-sexual violence and to advocate for the rights of victims of sexual assault. WOAR is committed to helping individuals and families regain control of their lives; and

WHEREAS, Women Organized Against Rape each year provides more than 100,000 children and adults with specialized education in leadership, mentoring, and violence prevention programs. Over 1,100 individuals every year receive the support of an Advocate at preliminary hearings and trials so that, while facing the offender, the victim/survivor is not alone; and

WHEREAS, More than 5,000 individuals a year make a call to WOAR’s 24-Hour Hotline, assured that when they reach out for help, someone will be there. More than 24,000 hours of group and individual therapy is provided free-of-charge. More than 5,000 children and adults receive individual specialized therapy to reduce Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and, each year, WOAR reaches into new communities to ensure that individuals and families suffering in silence hear about the many services that Philadelphia affords its residents; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby recognize the month of April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Honor Women Organized Against Rape as the agent of change that has enabled the City of Philadelphia to be acknowledged as a leader in the nation for outstanding education, advocacy and support which has impacted policies and laws resulting in improved treatment and care for all victim/survivors of sexual assault and sexual abuse; and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution shall be presented to Women Organized Against Rape as evidence of the sincere respect, deep admiration, and high regard this legislative body has for its outstanding work.

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