Senate 18

SENATE RESOLUTION 18

(By Senators Chapman, Charnock, Grady, Rucker, and Hamilton)

[Introduced January 27, 2026]

Designating January 27, 2026, as Sexual Violence Awareness Day at the Legislature.

Whereas, Sexual violence is recognized as one of the costliest crimes in human and societal impact; and

Whereas, The 2023-2024 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey rank West Virginia women fifth in the country in lifetime prevalence for sexual coercion victimizations, with nearly one third of female residents affected; and

Whereas, The number one reason for incarceration in West Virginia’s prisons is forcible sex offenses, with an annual cost of over $48 million for incarcerating offenders for sex-related offenses in the state’s prisons alone; and

Whereas, Victim services began in 1972 with the state’s first regional rape crisis center, and expanded to meet the need through 11 additional regional centers and the state sexual assault coalition, the West Virginia Foundation for Rape Information and Services; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate:

That the Senate hereby designates January 27, 2026, as Sexual Violence Awareness Day at the Legislature; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Senate recognizes the scope of sexual violence in the state, supports those agencies and advocates working to address the problem, and renews its commitment to stand with survivors, hold offenders accountable, and work to create a state where all West Virginians can live safely from the threat of sexual violence; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the appropriate representative of the West Virginia Foundation for Rape Information and Services.