Shaheen, Grassley Mark National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month with Bipartisan Resolution

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) introduced a bipartisan resolution recognizing April as “National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month,” supporting survivors of sexual assault and honoring the critical work done by victim advocates, public safety, law enforcement and health professionals. Their resolution was cosponsored by Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Joni Ernst (R-IA), John Fetterman (D-PA), Patty Murray (D-WA) and Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM).

“This month, and every month, we must do all we can to stand with survivors of sexual assault,” said Senator Shaheen. “I’m proud to help introduce a bipartisan resolution to support survivors and highlight the difficult but critical work that victim advocates, public safety, law enforcement and health professionals do on a daily basis to respond to and prevent sexual violence. We are grateful for their tireless work to ensure that survivors across the United States have the services they need to heal.”

The text of the Senators’ resolution can be found HERE.

Shaheen champions efforts in the Senate to boost services and programs for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. In the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 U.S. Senate Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies (CJS) Subcommittee Appropriations bill, Shaheen secured and helped advance $739.5 million, the highest funding level ever, for grants authorized by the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), including $10 million for continued implementation of her Sexual Assault Survivors’ Bill of Rights grant program.

In 2016, Shaheen led the effort to pass the Survivors’ Bill of Rights Act, which was signed into law by President Obama. The historic legislation guaranteed rights for survivors of sexual assault in federal cases and led to 21 states adopting similar legislation, including New Hampshire. Shaheen and Grassley’s bipartisan Survivors’ Bill of Rights in the States Act was signed into law as part of the FY 2023 national defense authorization legislation, and builds on the legacy of Shaheen’s initial legislation by ensuring that all survivors, not just those in federal cases, are protected.

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