AFPI Recognizes Sexual Assault Awareness Month

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today kicks off National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, observed April 19-25 as part of National Sexual Assault Awareness Month. This year’s theme, marking the 25th anniversary, is “25 Years Stronger: Looking Back, Moving Forward.”

“In just one year, over 60 percent of children were exposed to violence, crime or abuse,” said Kayleigh Kozak, senior manager for America Combats Trafficking and Child Exploitation Initiative at AFPI. “While meaningful progress has been made to protect children, the reality is that far too many are victimized each day. We must continue to fight to protect the most innocent among us from a lifetime of trauma, anguish and fear.”

The America First movement prioritizes the protecting the dignity of all America’s children. Through the Americans Combat Child Exploitation (ACCE) initiative, AFPI is committed to providing research and model policy that advances this America First approach. While improvements have been made to our criminal justice system to advance the cause of justice for victims of sexual assault, the fight is far from over. In fact, the urgency to win this fight becomes even more critical as the scourge of sexual violence targets the most vulnerable among us, our children.

AFPI’s ACCE Policy Pillars include:

• Protect all children from harm.
• Zero tolerance and certainty of consequences for those who commit crimes against children.
• Full accountability for institutions, systems, and perpetrators who victimize children.

AFPI will continue to fight to protect the innocence of every child, because the critical to the American Dream is a safe childhood. As the America First movement fights for the right of all Americans to pursue that dream, we remember that mission begins with protecting our children.