April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Organized by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center and marking its 25th anniversary this year, the annual observance is a time to raise awareness about sexual assault and highlight how it can be prevented, whether that’s through education about healthy sexuality, consent, or bystander intervention.
Sadly, sexual assault is a pervasive problem in the United States. Nationwide, 81% of women and 43% of men reported experiencing some form of sexual harassment and/or assault in their lifetime. Furthermore, one in five women in the United States experienced completed or attempted rape during their lifetime.
Pennsylvania Senate Democrats are committed to combating sexual assault and supporting those impacted by it. You can read more about the legislation our members have proposed on this issue during the current legislative session below.
The work to address this crisis goes beyond the halls and chambers of the Pennsylvania State Capitol Complex: it lies with all of us. This year’s theme, “25 Years Stronger: Looking Back, Moving Forward,” celebrates the resilience of survivors and the communities that have worked for change.
Community is powerful. Community creates a sense of belonging and reminds us of how our beliefs, choices, and actions impact one another. At the center of Building Connected Communities is ensuring our communities are safe, inclusive, and equitable. Racism, sexism, classism, heterosexism, ageism, ableism, and other forms of oppression contribute to higher rates of sexual harassment, assault, and abuse. We must address all abuses of power to prevent sexual violence – in our relationships, communities, and society.
For further information, please visit the National Sexual Violence Resource Center at www.NSVRC.org and explore more ways to learn, get help, and boost sexual violence prevention.
National Sexual Assault Help Line
1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
GET HELP 24/7
Understanding Sexual Violence
Sexual Violence Happens in Every Community
How you understand and talk about it matters. Become an agent for change by using your voice to shift how others think about and react to this critical issue.
What is sexual violence?
- Sexual violence is any type of unwanted sexual contact – including sexual assault and rape.
- This can include words and actions like sexual harassment, catcalling, and nonconsensual sharing of private images such as “revenge porn.”
Sexual violence impacts everyone
- Nearly 1 in 5 women and 1 in 67 men in the U.S. have experienced rape or attempted rape some time in their lives (Smith et al., 2017).
- Anyone can experience sexual violence, including children, teens, adults, and seniors.
Victims often know the person who Sexually assaulted them
- People who sexually abuse can be family members, friends, romantic partners, or other trusted individuals.
- They may use coercion, manipulation, threats, or force to commit sexual violence.
Victims are never to blame
- It doesn’t matter what someone was wearing, how they were acting, if they were drinking, or what type of relationship they had with the person who abused them
Sexual assault is often not reported
- A person may not report what happened for many reasons, including:
- Concern they won’t be believed
- Fear of retaliation
- Distrust of law enforcement
- Shame or fear of being blamed
- Pressure from others
healing and justice look different for every survivor
- A survivor may or may not choose to move forward with the criminal justice system.
- Healing is an ongoing process. Everyone heals in their own time and their own way.
You can support survivors
- Chances are you know someone who has experienced sexual violence even if they haven’t told you.
- They are listening to how you talk about the issue, and hearing that you understand and believe survivors may help them feel safe.
Embrace your voice
- Sexual violence thrives when it is not taken seriously and victim blaming goes unchecked.
- Your voice is essential in setting the record straight on sexual violence.
More Information
- Learn more from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.
- Guide to Victim’s Assistance
- Pennsylvania Coalition to Advance Respect
Retrieved from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control: https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/NISVS-StateReportBook.pdf and The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS): 2010-2012 state report.
2025-2026 Session Legislation
Senate Resolution 172 – Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Senate Resolution 172 – This Resolution recognized October 2025 as “Domestic Violence Awareness Month” in Pennsylvania.
Sponsored by Senator Cappelletti, Senator Wayne Fontana
Senate Bill 646 − Creating the "Survivor-centered, accessible, fair and empowering” (SAFE) Housing Trust Fund
Senate Bill 646 – This bill would establish the SAFE housing trust fund that will benefit victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, human trafficking and stalking. The “Survivor-centered, accessible, fair and empowering” (SAFE) Housing Trust Fund will provide much needed funding to increase resources to domestic violence programs, transitional housing programs and permanent housing solutions to better respond to the needs of these victims and survivors.
Sponsored by Senator Vincent Hughes
Senate Bill 976 – Protecting the Safety of Hotel Workers
Senate Bill 976 – hospitality workers in the hotel industry, many of whom are women, face daily exposure to unwanted sexual advances, harassment, and violence. Working in unattended guest rooms makes these individuals especially vulnerable. This piece of legislation would ncrease protections for these workers by requiring hotel employers to provide devices which serve as “panic buttons” for employees working alone servicing guestrooms.
Sponsored by Senator Nick Pisciottano
Co-Sponsorship Memo – Recognizing Military Sexual Trauma Awareness Day
Co-Sponsorship Memo – This resolution would designate one day of each year as Military Sexual Trauma (MST) Awareness Day in Pennsylvania.
Sponsored by Senators Katie Muth and Lindsey Williams
Co-Sponsorship Memo − Alternative Sentences for Domestic Violence Survivors
Co-Sponsorship Memo – This legislation would create alternative sentences for domestic violence survivors. Every year, a number of domestic violence survivors are coerced into criminal activity by their abusers, who threaten their family, friends, loved ones, and even family pets. With more than 12 million men and women experiencing rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner, and with nearly 60 percent of women in prison having had a history of physical or sexual abuse before incarceration, something must be done to create more just outcomes for those affected by domestic violence and abuse.
Sponsored by Senator Amanda Cappelletti
Senate Bill 1034 – Closing Reporting Gaps
Senate Bill 1034 – Under the current law, incidents where a minor disseminates sexually explicit material of another child are not included in the definition of what constitutes child-on-child abuse. Therefore, Pennsylvania’s mandated reporter laws do not apply to this type of incident. To close the gap in our current mandated reporting laws and protect our children, this legislation would ensure that all instances of child sexual abuse imagery are recognized and reported to the appropriate authorities.
Sponsored by Senator Malone
Senate Bill 22 – Social Media Protections for Minors
Senate Bill 22 – The use of social media by teenagers is near universal. According to data collected by Pew, 95% of teens use YouTube and 67% of teens have used TikTok, while 45% of teens have reported feeling overwhelmed by the drama on social media and 26% reported feeling worse about their own lives. A recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report found that 16% of high school students reported being electronically bullied in 2021 and, between 2011-2021, nearly 60% of female students experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, while 10% of female students reported attempting suicide. This legislation would: require consent from a parent or legal guardian for anyone under 16 to open a social media account; notify parents or legal guardians if a child under 16 opens a social media account without proper consent; provide parents or legal guardians with the ability to initiate account supervision, including viewing a minor’s privacy settings and scheduling time limits, and; prohibit data mining for any user under 18.
Sponsored by Senator Vincent Hughes
Senate Resolution 62 − Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Senate Resolution 62 – A Resolution that would declare April 2025 as “Sexual Assault Awareness Month” in Pennsylvania. Sexual assault has continued to be a serious social and public health issue in the United States. Everyday across the United States, thousands of people, regardless of cultural and economic backgrounds, are affected by rape and sexual assault.
Sponsored by Senators Christine Tartaglione, Katie Muth, Maria Collett, Lindsey Williams, Lisa Boscola, Amanda Cappelletti, Judy Schwank, Carolyn Comitta, Patty Kim
Co-Sponsorship Memo – Preventing campus sexual violence and supporting survivors
Co-Sponsorship Memo – This bill, written by students and survivors in partnership with the Every Voice Coalition, will ensure that colleges and universities provide critical resources, transparency, and protections for students.
Sponsored by Senator Maria Collett
Co-Sponsorship Memo – Fee Waivers for Victims of Domestic Violence
Co-Sponsorship Memo – This legislation aims to assist vulnerable individuals by waiving fees associated with replacing critical state documents for victims of domestic violence and abuse who have been deprived of these documents by their abusers. Under this legislation, PennDOT and the Department of Health would be required to waive the fees associated with providing duplicates of certain state-issued vital documents for victims of domestic violence and their dependent children.
Sponsored by Senator Patty Kim
Additional Resources and Advocacy
