Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Written by: Abbey Riendeau, LMHC


The month of April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) and April 2024 marks the 23rd anniversary of SAAM’s national recognition. Campaigns for SAAM focus on raising awareness and visibility about sexual assault, as well as sharing how it can be prevented, whether that’s through education about healthy sexuality, consent, or bystander intervention. The movement for social change began to gain traction in the 1940s and 1950s during the civil rights era, although the open discussion around sexual assault was limited at these times. Efforts to bring sexual assault issues to the attention of others increased and the first rape crisis center was founded in San Francisco in 1971. The movement continued to grow throughout the following decades. Legislation and funding for the support of survivors improved through the Violence Against Women Act of 1993. Finally, in 2001, SAAM was first nationally observed and advocacy increased through events, marches, and observances during the month of April.

Sexual violence is an umbrella term that includes any type of unwanted sexual contact – including sexual assault, harassment, and abuse. Other forms of sexual violence include:

  • Rape 

  • Unwanted sexual contact/touching

  • Sexual exploitation and trafficking

  • Exposing one’s genitals or naked body to others without consent

  • Nonconsensual image sharing

  • Words and actions of sexual nature against a person’s will and without their consent

The role that SAAM plays is so incredibly important. It’s up to all of us to create safe communities that prevent sexual assault and respond accordingly when it does happen. But that cannot happen if the extent of the issues are not known. According to the CDC and Department of Justice, every 68 seconds an American is sexually assaulted. This translates to more than 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men experiencing sexual violence. This means that if you not have experienced sexual violence yourself, you probably know someone who has. Additionally, 47% of transgender people experience sexual violence and women of color disproportionately experience sexual violence. All individuals, regardless of identity, race, or otherwise, deserve to be safe in the communities they inhabit. 

Any space where people come together is a community, whether in a neighborhood, workplace, school campus, organization, or even an online space. Everyone is a part of communities, whether you feel connected to the community or not. Communities create a sense of belonging and remind us of how our beliefs, choices, and actions impact one another. Racism, sexism, ageism, ableism, and other forms of oppression contribute to unsafe communities and higher rates of sexual violence. Campaigns related to SAAM focus on ways in which individuals within communities can stop sexual violence before it happens by changing behaviors and promoting respect. We all must strive to create strong, connected communities that take care of each other and make decisions to ensure the safety and well-being of others to end sexual violence. Below are actions you can take to support victims of sexual assault, as well as increase prevention and advocacy, from the Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence:

  • Initiate a conversation in private and when you have enough time to talk at length, but if they want to.

  • Let go of any expectations you have that there is a “quick fix.” Not doing anything may very well be the safest thing they can do at any given time.

  • Challenge false attitudes and beliefs that you may have about domestic or sexual violence.

  • Believe victims and let them know that you do. If you know the person who has or is abusing them, it may be hard to believe that they are capable of abuse but remember that abusers typically act differently in public than they do in private.

  • Listen to what they tell you. Avoid making judgments and giving advice. They will let you know what they need.

  • Refer them to a service provider who can provide necessary medical attention, counseling or emotional support, safety planning, housing and discuss their options.

  • Build on their strengths. Point out the ways in which they have developed ways to cope, solved problems, and showed courage and determination.

  • Validate feelings. It is common for victims to have conflicting feelings- love and fear, guilt and anger, hope and sadness. Let them know that these feelings are normal.

  • Avoid victim-blaming. Tell the victim that the abuse is not their fault.

  • Take it seriously. If you are concerned about their safety, tell them you are concerned without judgment by simply saying, “Your situation sounds dangerous, and I’m concerned about your safety.”

  • Offer help. Offer specific forms of help and information, such as providing childcare, driving them to appointments or assisting with pets.

  • Give them control. Abuse and assault take control away from victims. Support their decisions about who to tell, what steps to take, and what types of support they need. Additionally, asking before offering any physical support such as hugs and being upfront about what support you can and cannot provide allows them to take control of their safety and next steps.

  • Support and respect their decisions. Remember that there are risks with every decision a victim makes and there is no one way an individual must react to abuse or assault. If you really want to be helpful, be patient and respect their decisions, even if you don’t agree with them.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence and is struggling with the impacts on their mental health, please know there is help available. You can contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673. Our clinicians at FIG are available to assist you in finding the appropriate services to meet your needs. Contact us today if you need help finding mental health services or would like to inquire about receiving services with FIG.




Citation:

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. (n.d.). Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence. https://opdv.ny.gov/april-sexual-assault-awareness-month

Sexual Assault Awareness Month - I Ask. (n.d.). National Sexual Violence Resource Center. https://www.nsvrc.org/saam


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