HJ0079 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0079 LRB093 21965 KEF 50183 r

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The mission of the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault (ICASA)is to end sexual assault and to alleviate the suffering of sexual assault victims; and

WHEREAS, There are thirty-three rape crisis centers in the State of Illinois that each maintain membership in the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault; and

WHEREAS, Each center provides comprehensive sexual assault services including a 24-hour hotline, 24-hour medical and criminal justice advocacy services, in-person counseling, prevention education programs, professional training, information, and referrals; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault sets standards for services and monitors each center to ensure program and fiscal accountability; and

WHEREAS, Rape crisis centers are awarded State and federal funds through the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault; and

WHEREAS, Since 1982, the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault's budget has grown from $148,889 to $14 million which has allowed the centers to expand counseling and advocacy services to meet the needs of adult survivors of child sexual abuse, children, teens, and male victims; and

WHEREAS, Centers have established volunteer training, developed curricula for prevention education, standardized professional training, and implemented protocols with hospitals and law enforcement agencies; and

WHEREAS, The need for services from the rape crisis centers continues to grow while the appropriations to the Illinois Coalition For Sexual Assault have not increased in four years; and

WHEREAS, In 2002, there were 6,037 rapes reported to the Illinois State Police, an increase of 418 rapes from 2001; and

WHEREAS, It is estimated that only three in ten rapes are reported; the reality is that an estimated 20,123 rapes occurred in Illinois in 2002; and

WHEREAS, In fiscal year 2003, 10,527 adult, adolescent, and child survivors of sexual assault, child sexual abuse, and sexual harassment, and an additional 3,243 significant others, were served by the rape crisis centers of the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault; and

WHEREAS, The total costs of rape to its victims are estimated to be $127 billion annually in the United States, excluding the costs of child sexual abuse; the cost per sexual assault is estimated to be $87,000 including short-term medical care, mental health services, lost productivity, and pain and suffering; and

WHEREAS, It is in the best interest of the State of Illinois and the United States to invest in sexual assault prevention and counseling services; and

WHEREAS, The United States Congress and the United States Department of Justice have begun to redirect funds from sexual assault prevention and counseling services to other programs and initiatives; and be it further

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we request the United States Congress to increase appropriations to the State of Illinois for sexual assault prevention and counseling services; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we recognize the thirty-three rape crisis centers in the State of Illinois for their hard work and dedication serving victims of sexual assault; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to each member of the Illinois Congressional delegation, the Conference of Women Legislators, and the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault.