Governor Hochul Declares April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Governor Kathy Hochul today issued a proclamation declaring April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in New York, reaffirming the State's commitment to supporting and empowering victims and survivors and preventing sexual violence in all its forms. State landmarks will be illuminated in teal the evening of Wednesday, April 1 to recognize the month and the evening of Wednesday, April 29 to mark Denim Day.

"Sexual violence remains a deeply serious issue impacting individuals and families across our state. As we recognize April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month, we reaffirm our commitment to stand with survivors, hold perpetrators accountable and will continue to take meaningful action to strengthen our support systems and expand resources," Governor Hochul said. "New York is committed to building safer communities where every New Yorker is protected and survivors are provided the resources they need to heal."

Under Governor Hochul's leadership, New York has advanced its commitment to victims and survivors of gender-based violence through nation-leading, survivor-centered investments and legislation. The FY27 Executive Budget proposal includes legislation to extend sexual offense evidence collection kit retention periods for survivors assaulted as children, give certain minors more authority over decisions related to their kits, and ensure that evidence isn't destroyed without survivors' consent. Current law requires that kits be retained for 20 years from the date of collection, which means that some survivors who were assaulted as children must make a decision while they are still recovering from the trauma of their assault.

The Governor has also advanced initiatives as part of this year's State of the State agenda to improve online safety and prevent technology-facilitated sexual violence, including sextortion and deepfakes. Proposed legislation in the FY27 Executive Budget would establish privacy-by-default protections for minors and disable certain AI chatbot features on popular online platforms. Additional proposals would require labeling for AI generated content online.

As part of Governor Hochul's Safeguard Teens from Online Sexual Exploitation Initiative, the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence (OPDV)

launched the "Power Down Speak Up" campaign. The campaign helps youth recognize and speak out against online sexual exploitation, including grooming, sextortion and the non-consensual sharing of images. It also provides resources for parents, educators and law enforcement to help identify warning signs of technology-facilitated abuse and sexual violence.

New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence Executive Director Kelli Nicholas Owens said, "Sexual Assault Awareness Month is an opportunity to uplift survivors, challenge harmful myths and strengthen prevention efforts across our communities. Through partnerships, education and survivor-centered services, New York continues to lead the nation in addressing sexual assault and all forms of gender-based violence. Thank you Governor Hochul for your leadership in standing with survivors."

These landmarks will be illuminated to mark Sexual Assault Awareness Month:

• 1WTC
• Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge
• Kosciuszko Bridge
• The H. Carl McCall SUNY Building
• State Education Building
• Alfred E. Smith State Office Building
• Empire State Plaza
• State Fairgrounds - Main Gate & Expo Center
• Niagara Falls
• The "Franklin D. Roosevelt" Mid-Hudson Bridge
• Grand Central Terminal - Pershing Square Viaduct
• Albany International Airport Gateway
• MTA LIRR - East End Gateway at Penn Station
• Fairport Lift Bridge over the Erie Canal
• Moynihan Train Hall
• Roosevelt Island Lighthouse

OPDV will partner with the New York State Office of General Services to host the New York State Denim Day Exhibit from Monday, April 27 through Wednesday, April 29 at the Empire State Plaza Concourse in Albany, New York. OPDV will bring a mobile Denim Day Exhibit to Binghamton University on April 29.

The Denim Day movement started 27 years ago, after the Italian Supreme Court ruled that because a victim was wearing tight jeans, she must have helped the person who raped her remove them, implying consent. Following the ruling, women in the Italian Parliament wore jeans to work in solidarity with the victim.

OPDV is also releasing its latest VOICES: Survivor Stories video, featuring sexual abuse survivor and former nationally ranked speedskater Bridie Farrell. Bridie lives in Lake Placid and has been instrumental in the adoption of Child Victims Act laws across the country, including here in New York.

New York State Office of Victim Services Director Bea Hanson said, "Survivors should be able to focus on healing, not on how they will pay for counseling, medical care, transportation or other expenses related to the crime. OVS is committed to removing barriers to support and making sure survivors know help is available when they need it. We thank Governor Hochul for her continued commitment to survivors and victim services across New York."

New York State Office of Children and Family Services Commissioner DaMia Harris-Madden said, "I applaud Governor Hochul and the Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence for their leadership in supporting and advancing New York State's commitment to ending sexual violence. It is critical that we all work together to increase awareness and enhance prevention of this horrific problem. The Governor's initiatives will help to keep teens safer from online sexual exploitation, help to combat deepfake images and ensure that individuals who seek medical care at hospitals have access to trained sexual assault forensic examiners. OCFS also works diligently to provide support for survivors through Child Advocacy Centers, which offer resources to children who have experienced abuse; the Safe Harbour and EMPOWER programs for youth who have been sexually assaulted and/or trafficked; and domestic violence programs for adults."

New York State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, "It is not easy for those who experience sexual violence to talk about it, but we must continue to have open and honest conversations and provide survivors with compassion and resources for healing. Under Governor Hochul's leadership, New York State is dedicated to ensuring victims and survivors of sexual violence receive the support they need as we work together towards prevention."

New York State Office of General Services Commissioner Jeanette Moy said, "Every survivor of sexual violence deserves to be heard and supported. I thank Governor Hochul for her unwavering commitment to prioritizing survivors' needs and ensuring that New York remains a national leader in survivor-centered policies. The Office of General Services is proud to stand in solidarity with survivors by hosting the Denim Day Exhibit at the Empire State Plaza and illuminating state landmarks in teal, serving as a powerful reminder that they are not alone."

New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services Commissioner Rossana Rosado said, "Survivors deserve to be heard, believed and supported when they seek help. Through funding, training and partnerships with law enforcement, victim service providers and community organizations, DCJS is helping ensure survivors can access compassionate, trauma-informed services and pursue justice if they choose. We are proud to stand with Governor Hochul and our partners across the state to raise awareness, support survivors and help prevent gender-based violence."

The New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence is the nation's only Cabinet-level executive state agency dedicated to addressing gender-based violence.

New York's Domestic and Sexual Violence Hotline is available 24/7: Call: 800-942-6906; Text: 844-997-2121; and Chat: opdv.ny.gov.

The New York State Office of Victim Servicesfunds and supports more than 200 victim assistance programs that provide confidential, free services to victims and survivors of crime, including crisis counseling, support groups, civil legal help, relocation services, case management and other assistance. The agency also directly reimburses medical providers for the cost of a forensic rape exam (FRE) if an individual does not have private health insurance or chooses not to use it, helping protect survivors' privacy. In addition, OVS accepts FRE claims in lieu of police reports, allowing individuals to seek financial assistance and reimbursement for other crime-related expenses.

Visit www.ovs.ny.gov/connect to locate a victim assistance program, and follow OVS on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Contact the Governor's Press Office