Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez has issued a proclamation recognizing April as Navajo Nation Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
The proclamation states that the Tribe recognizes the physical, mental, and spiritual impacts that rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment have on Diné people.
Tribal officials say rape accounts for a large percentage of violent crimes reported to Navajo police, with an average of one case reported daily.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Native Americans and Alaska Natives are at least two times more likely to experience rape and sexual assault crimes than all other races and nationalities.
The month of April is also National Sexual Assault Awareness Month across the country.
For more support, information, or advice, call the free and confidential National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1(800)-656-HOPE.
