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42 Pa.C.S. § 62A02

Findings and purpose

Known as the Judicial Code

The act spans §§ 42-101 to 42-9914 (972 sections).

The General Assembly finds and declares that:

(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.

Official source: Pennsylvania General Assembly. Reproduced from public-domain Pennsylvania statutes; confirm against the official source for the current text. Not legal advice.