Proclamation National Crime Victims' Rights Week in Santa Clara, Texas - April 6-12, 2025 Whereas, millions of Americans are victims of crime each year, and these crimes also affect family members, friends, neighbors, and co-workers; and Whereas, crime can leave a lasting physical, emotional, or financial impact on people of all ages and abilities, and of all economic, racial, and social backgrounds; and Whereas, in 1984, the Crime Victims Fund was established by the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) to provide a permanent source of support for crime victim services and compensation through fines and penalties paid by convicted federal offenders; and Whereas, the Crime Victims Fund today supports thousands of victim assistance programs who provide help and support to child victims of violence and sexual abuse; stalking victims; survivors of homicide victims; victims of drunk-driving crashes; and victims of domestic, dating, and sexual violence and other crimes; and Whereas, by ensuring that federal offender criminal fines and penalties are deposited into the Crime Victims Fund, Congress affirmed that those who commit crimes should be held accountable for the impact of their actions; ànd Whereas, the Crime Victims Fund provides victim assistançe to millions of crime victims annually and also provides compensation funds to thousands of crime victims each year for reimbursement of expenses related to their victimization;and Whereas, the victim assistance community faces new challenges to reach and serve all victims, including victims of newly recognized crimes; and Whereas, now is the time to embrace a new emphasis on learning what works in reaching underserved victims and meeting victims' needs; and Whereas, National Crime Victims' Rights Week, provides an opportunity to celebrate the energy, creativity, and commitment that launched the victims' rights movement, inspired its progress, and continues to advance the cause of justice for crime victims; and Whereas, Advocates are joining forces with victim service providers, criminal justice agencies, and concerned citizens throughout The City of Santa Clara and America to raise awareness of victims' rights and observe National Crime Victims' Rights Week. Now Therefore, Be It Resolved, in official recognition, the City of Santa Clara hereby proclaims the week of April 6-12, 2025 as National Crime Victims' Rights Week in Santa Clara, Texas, and reaffirms the City's commitment to respect and enforce victims' rights and address victims' needs during National Crime Victims' Rights Week and throughout the year; and express our appreciation for those victims and crime survivors who have turned personal tragedy into a motivating force to improve our response to victims of crime and build a more just community. In Witness Whereof, we have here unto set our hand this 24th day of March 2025. Jeff Hunt, Mayor Attest: Donna L. White, City Secretary National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month PROCLAMATION WHEREAS, every 68 seconds another person in the United States is sexually assaulted, and in Texas 2 in 5 women and 1 in 5 men are victims of sexual assault; AND in fiscal year 2024, Thriving Hearts Crisis Center rendered 850 services to 379 survivors ofs sexual violence and provided 94 hospital accompaniments for sexual assault exams; WHEREAS, according to a study conducted by the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault and The University of Texas at Austin Institute on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault approximately 6.3 million Texans have been sexually victimized; WHEREAS, most victims are sexually assaulted by someone they know and 91 percent of victims did not report to police; WHEREAS, it is appropriate to salute the more than 20 Million victims who have survived sexual assault in the United States and the efforts ofvictims, volunteers, and professionals who combat sexual assault; WHEREAS, national and community organizations and private sector supporters should be reognirlandpplauded for apcler about sexual assault; WHEREAS, police, forensic workers, and prosecutors should be recognized and commended for theirhard work and innovative strategies toincrease thepercentage ofsexual assault cases that resolvein the prosecution and incarceration ofthe offenders; WHEREAS, sexual yiolence is a persistent and pervasive problem in our soçiety, one that requires attention year-round and in ordert to foster healthy communities, all citizens must support the effort to endsexual violence every month of the year; and, WHEREAS, pational land community organizations businesses in the private sector, and the media are urged, through National Sexual Assault Awareness of sexual violence and strategies to decréase the incidence of sexual assault. NOW, THEREFORE, I, JeffHunt, Mayor ofthe city of Santa Clara, do hereby proclaim the month of April as "National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month" in Santa Clara and urge all citizens to observe this month by supporting the goals and ideas of victims and those working toward awareness and prevention, and by participating in community efforts. Presented this day of March 24 2025. Jeff Hunt, Mayor Attest: Donna L. White, City Secretary Proclamation Child Abuse Prevention & Awareness Month In Santa Clara, Texas - April 2025 Whereas, more than 53,851 cases of child abuse and neglect were confirmed in Texas during 2024; and Whereas, there were 253 confirmed victims of child abuse and neglect in Guadalupe County in 2024; and Whereas, child abuse prevention is a community responsibility and finding solutions depends on involvement among all people; and Whereas, communities must make every effort to promote and support programs that benefit children and their families; and Whereas, effective child abuse prevention programssucceed becauseof partnerships amonga variety of entities including but not limited to schools, religious organizations, law enforcement agencies, child protective services, prosecution agencies, medical professionals, mental health professionals, SJRC Texas-Belong, the Guadalupe County Child Welfare, Board, Children's Advocacy Centers, Court Appointed Special Advocates, Bikers Against Child Abuse, and other community-based non-profit organizations; and Whereas, everyone in thec community should become more aware of child abuse prevention and consider helping parents raiset their children in safe, nurturing environments as well as supporting local professionals dedicated to meeting the néeds of child abuse victims; and Now Therefore, Belt Resolved, in official recognition, the City of Santa Clara hereby proclaims April 2025 as Child Abuse Prevention & Awareness Monthin in Santa Clara, Texas, and urge all citizens to work together to reduce child abuse and neglect and to significantly improve the response of our community when child abuse occurs in the months and years ahead. In Witness Whereof, we have here unto set our hand this 24th day of March 2025 Jeff Hunt, Mayor Attest: Donna L. White, City Secretary