Albuquerque City Council Proclaims April 2026 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month

ALBUQUERQUE, NM — Today, the Albuquerque City Council officially designated April as "Sexual Assault Awareness Month." Sponsored by District 8 Councilor Dan Champine, the proclamation marks a significant milestone: the 25th anniversary of the national movement to increase public awareness about sexual violence and educate communities on how to prevent it.

The proclamation serves as both a recognition of the pervasive nature of sexual violence in New Mexico and a call to action for the city’s residents.

A Pervasive Public Health Crisis
The statistics cited during the reading of the proclamation painted a stark picture of the challenges facing both the city and the nation. Councilor Champine highlighted that sexual violence (SV) is a preventable public health problem that impacts nearly everyone in the community.

Broad Impact: An estimated 99% of people are affected by sexual violence, either as survivors themselves or through knowing a survivor.

National Trends: Data shows that one in three women and one in four men experience sexual violence involving physical contact during their lifetimes.

Early Trauma: The proclamation noted the heartbreaking reality that a significant portion of these crimes occur against children; nationally, 1 in 8 female victims and 1 in 4 male victims report their assault occurred before the age of 10.

In 2025 alone, the Albuquerque Police Department’s Sex Crime Unit received approximately 540 reported sex crimes. However, the Council acknowledged that these figures likely represent only a fraction of the true incidence rate, as many survivors choose not to report crimes to law enforcement for various complex reasons.

The proclamation featured the work of the  Rape Crisis Center of Central New Mexico (RCCCNM). With 53 years of service, the center has been a lifeline for survivors in the Duke City.

"In 2025, the Rape Crisis Center assisted 1,336 survivors. Their youngest client was only ten months old, while their oldest was 81."

This year’s theme, “25 Years Stronger: Looking Back, Moving Forward,” reflects on the progress made since the first official awareness month in 2001 while emphasizing the ongoing need to build safer communities and support long-term healing.

Looking Forward
By officially proclaiming April 2026 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the City of Albuquerque stands in solidarity with all survivors of abuse. The City Council encourages residents to engage with local resources, participate in awareness events, and support the prevention efforts that aim to eliminate sexual violence in New Mexico.

If you or someone you know needs support, the Rape Crisis Center of Central New Mexico provides confidential services and can be reached via their 24/7 hotline at 505-266-7711.