WHEREAS, sexual assault affects people of all races, genders, and economic backgrounds in every Maine community; and

WHEREAS, more than 19,000 people in Maine will experience sexual violence this year, and one in five Mainers will be impacted in their lifetime; and

WHEREAS, sexual violence has far-reaching public health and societal costs, with impacts on survivors, their loved ones and their communities, often resulting in mental health struggles, substance use, housing insecurity, lost wages, and healthcare costs; and

WHEREAS, Maine’s support systems for survivors are under-resourced, leaving too many without the justice and healing they deserve; and

WHEREAS, widespread stigma, shame, and misinformation about sexual violence lead to low reporting rates of these crimes, further isolating survivors and allowing violence to continue; and

WHEREAS, raising awareness and educating our communities about sexual violence can create meaningful, long-term change, and ending sexual violence requires the commitment of every person in our state;

NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that I, Janet T. Mills, Governor of the State of Maine, do hereby proclaim the month of April 2025 as

Sexual Assault Awareness Month

throughout the State of Maine, and I urge all citizens to work together to prevent sexual violence, support survivors, and challenge harmful attitudes and actions.

In testimony whereof, I have caused the Great Seal of the State to be hereunto affixed GIVEN under my hand at Augusta this second day of April Two Thousand Twenty-Five