Trump Declares “National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month”

Membership Ticker

Monika Bauerlein, CEO

Dear reader,

How are you holding up? I’ve been thinking a lot about what is happening with the Mother Jones community, and I’m hoping you’ll share what is happening in your life. You can do that and find out what Mother Jones is investigating in response to the pandemic in our new column, "Greed Destroyed Our Social Immune System. It’s Time to Rebuild It." Thanks for reading. Please stay safe.

In "Greed Destroyed Our Social Immune System. It’s Time to Rebuild It," CEO Monika Bauerlein checks in with our community and shares how Mother Jones’ journalists are responding to the pandemic.

Jonathan Ernst/Reuters/ZUMA

For indispensable reporting on the coronavirus crisis and more, subscribe to Mother Jones' newsletters.

In an announcement late Friday, President Donald Trump proclaimed April as National Sexual Assault and Prevention Month, vowing to commit his administration to raising awareness on the issue and “reduce and eventually end violence” against women, children, and men.

“This includes supporting victims, preventing future abuse, and prosecuting offenders to the full extent of the law,” a statement from the White House read. “I have already directed the Attorney General to create a task force on crime reduction and public safety. This task force will develop strategies to reduce crime and propose new legislation to fill gaps in existing laws.”

“In the face of sexual violence, we must commit to providing meaningful support and services for victims and survivors in the United States and around the world.”

National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention month occurs every year. Here’s a reminder that Trump has been accused of sexually assaulting a string of women. During the 2016 campaign, a video emerged showing Trump bragging about groping a woman without her permission. Despite the recording, Trump defeated Hillary Clinton to become the president of the United States.