Booker and Watson-Coleman Introduce Bicameral Resolution to Uplift Voices of Underserved Communities in Efforts to Prevent Sexual Assault and Support Victims

Press Release

In identical resolutions introduced in the House and Senate, Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) called on Congress to focus greater attention and resources on the prevention of sexual assault and violence and support for victims -- particularly members of underserved communities who experience sexual violence at higher rates and are less likely to have access to justice, mental and emotional support resources after being victimized. Also sponsoring the resolution in the Senate are Senators Catherine Cortez-Masto (D-NV), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Kamala Harris (D-CA).

"It is the responsibility of each and every one of us to do all we can to eradicate sexual violence. This resolution challenges Congress to step up and do more for all survivors of sexual violence -- especially those whose voices, leadership, and needs are so frequently overlooked. I'm grateful to Representative Watson Coleman for partnering with me to introduce this in the House, and am honored to stand alongside Senators Cortez Masto, Baldwin, and Harris as sponsors in the Senate," said Booker.

"Sexual violence is a pervasive threat in our nation -- it is more likely to touch women and girls of color, overwhelmingly present in Native American communities, rarely acknowledged but particularly egregious in LGBTQ communities and underreported nationwide," said Watson Coleman. "The scale of this threat is immense, as are the physical, mental and emotional scars that survivors must manage for the rest of their lives. This resolution presents Congress -- House and Senate -- with a clear choice in values, asking whether or not we respect and appreciate our women and girls enough to make them a priority. As a woman and as a leader elected to find solutions to problems like this one I'm committed to making that answer a resounding "yes.'"

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and as we work to raise public awareness about sexual violence this month, it's important to ensure that the voices of disenfranchised and underserved communities are heard and acknowledged, including immigrant survivors, survivors with disabilities, survivors of color, American Indian or Alaska Native survivors, survivors of child sexual abuse, queer and intersex survivors, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender survivors.

While all survivors' voices need to be uplifted, troubling data illustrate the need to highlight those of historically and currently disenfranchised and underserved communities. For instance:

1 in 5 girls aged 14 to 18 has been kissed or touched without consent, including 24 percent of Latina girls, 23 percent of Native American girls, and 22 percent of Black girls

56.1 percent of American Indian and Alaska Native women have experienced sexual violence

59.6 percent of LGBTQ secondary students have been sexually harassed at school and are more likely to experience sexual harassment than non-LGBTQ students

31 percent of young women in the juvenile justice system have been sexually abused

And too often, survivors from historically and currently disenfranchised and underserved communities are ignored, blamed, and cast aside when seeking support after experiencing a form of sexual violence.

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