; Whereas studies show that sexual violence and gender-based violence are underreported crimes, indicating that the rates of sexual violence and gender-based violence may be even higher than these estimates; Whereas too many survivors from communities that face systemic barriers are ignored, blamed, and cast aside when seeking support after experiencing a form of sexual violence or gender-based violence; Whereas communities that have been disproportionately harmed by the criminal justice system, including Black women and girls, may be less likely to report sexual violence when that violence occurs; Whereas incarcerated women report extensive histories of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse; Whereas, according to the Department of Justice, allegations of sexual misconduct were made in all but one State prison and 41% of local and private jails and prisons ; Whereas prior abuse is a key predictor of involvement in the juvenile justice system; Whereas, according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation, nearly 3/4 of girls in the juvenile justice system have experienced physical or sexual abuse, and many of those girls experience criminal penalties for their responses to sexual violence; Whereas communities of color are overrepresented in jails and prisons in the United States and disproportionately impacted by violence, including sexual violence, in the criminal justice system; Whereas youth of color, youth with disabilities, and youth who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or gender non-conforming are overrepresented in the child welfare system; Whereas lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth are overrepresented in the youth homeless population, making them particularly at risk for sexual violence; Whereas the Center for American Progress reports that 22 percent of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth have been sexually assaulted or raped, which is more than 3 times the rate of sexual assault and rape among other homeless youth