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Ramsey County: A Start by Believing Community <br /> <br />Whereas, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports 1 in 6 women and 1 <br />in 33 men in the United States experience rape or attempted rape, at some point in their lives, <br />and data from other sources report the rate for women is as high as 1 in 4; and <br /> <br />Whereas, according to a study by the University of Minnesota, the number of Minnesota women <br />reporting a date-related sexual assault rises from 12 percent by the time they graduate from <br />high school, 29 percent by age 23, to 33 percent by mid-life; and <br /> <br />Whereas, an analysis of the Minnesota Student Survey data by the University of Minnesota <br />estimated 60 percent of teen first pregnancies in Minnesota are preceded by experiences of <br />molestation, rape, or attempted rape; and <br /> <br />Whereas, 188 cases of child sexual abuse in Ramsey County were identified among reported <br />cases of maltreatment in 2011; and <br /> <br />Whereas, current estimates suggest no more than 20 percent of sexual assaults will be <br />reported to law enforcement and less than 3 percent will result in the conviction and <br />incarceration of the perpetrator; and <br /> <br />Whereas, research documents that victims are far more likely to disclose their sexual assault to <br />a friend or family member, and when these loved ones respond with disbelief, shame, or blame, <br />victims suffer additional negative effects on their physical and psychological well-being and do <br />not report their assault to law enforcement; and <br /> <br />Whereas, the national public awareness campaign “Start by Believing” is designed to improve <br />the initial responses of friends, family members, and community professionals, including law <br />enforcement and prosecutors, so they can help victims to access supportive resources and <br />report their assaults; and <br /> <br />Whereas, Ramsey County has worked collaboratively across departments and with community <br />partners for many years to prevent and respond to sexual violence in the community; and <br /> <br />Whereas, public health and the criminal justice system have different roles and responsibilities, <br />but are united in the goals to prevent and reduce sexual violence in our community, from <br />children to vulnerable adults; <br /> <br />Now Therefore, Be it Resolved by the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners, that the <br />County re-dedicate itself to addressing the continuing problem of sexual violence through its <br />support of the Ramsey County: A Start by Believing Community Initiative and its goal for <br />everyone to believe victims upon report. <br /> <br />Now Therefore, Be it Resolved by the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners that Ramsey <br />County and its community partners will expand support for sexual violence survivors through <br />training, education and outreach <br /> <br />Now, Therefore, Be it Resolved by the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners, that all <br />municipal jurisdictions in Ramsey County are requested to join in this effort.