- (1) Sexual violence is the most heinous crime against a person other than murder.
- (2) Sexual violence and intimidation can inflict humiliation, degradation and terror on the victim.
- (3) According to the Department of Justice, someone is sexually assaulted every two minutes in the United States.
- (4) Rape is recognized as one of the most underreported crimes, and studies indicate that only one in three rapes is reported to law enforcement.
- (5) Victims of sexual violence and intimidation desire safety and protection from future interactions with their offender, regardless of whether they seek criminal prosecution.
- (6) This chapter provides the victim with a civil remedy requiring the offender to stay away from the victim, as well as other appropriate relief.
The General Assembly finds and declares that: