Sexual assault awareness month is an annual celebration that takes place in April and is dedicated to ending sexual violence. There are many ways to participate, from Building Safe Online Spaces to signing the #DenimDay pledge. You can also read about the #30DaysOfSAAM challenge or the #SurvivorLoveLetter.
Building Safe Online Spaces
Creating a safe online space for survivors of sexual assault can help protect people from being sexually harassed online. It is important to understand that the online environment can be as violent as the physical one, and that the consequences of sexual harassment can be just as devastating. In addition to helping survivors cope with their trauma, this project also works to build awareness about online sexual violence.
SAAM is a month-long campaign that aims to increase awareness of sexual violence and educate the public about prevention. Each year, the campaign focuses on different aspects of sexual violence prevention, such as the importance of respect, creating safe online communities, and engaging in coordinated action.
#DenimDay
Wearing denim on #DenimDay is an excellent way to promote awareness of sexual violence. Denim Day was founded as a grassroots campaign to fight the stigma and erroneous beliefs that surround this crime. It encourages community members, elected officials, businesses, and students to wear denim.
The movement was founded in 1999 after an Italian Supreme Court overturned a rape conviction in part because of the rape victim’s clothing. The ruling, called the “jean alibi,” originated when an 18-year-old woman’s rape defendant said the rape was consensual because the woman had to help remove her tight jeans. The judicial decision sparked a worldwide outcry. It’s important to remember that many victims of sexual assault have faced threats and coercion.
#SurvivorLoveLetter
#SurvivorLoveLetter is a social media movement for survivors and allies to write short messages of love and support to each other on Valentine’s Day. The movement was founded by filmmaker and activist Tani Ikeda, who experienced sexual assault and rape herself. The project has since grown to include a national mural and letter writing campaign, and has reached thousands of survivors and allies.
The Normal Public Library is hosting a few events during April to support Survivor Love Letter. In a collaboration with Resilient Voices, the project aims to share the stories of survivors and help them heal. Survivor love letters will be displayed at the library.
Goals in healing from sexual assault
Survivors of sexual assault often face multiple challenges in the months following the assault. In addition to physical injuries, the assault can cause emotional reactions such as guilt and shame. It can also result in long-term psychological impacts such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, and isolation. There is no single remedy for sexual assault, but it is possible to recover from the effects of the assault and build a new life.
To achieve this, organizations can hold events that educate the public about sexual assault and provide a safe environment. One such event is Thriving in Our Bodies, which will be held at Torrey College and facilitated by student Clarissa Aubin, a sexual assault survivor. The event will offer a confidential environment for survivors to share their stories. Participants can participate in activities such as coloring and breathing exercises.
Resources for survivors
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, an opportunity to show support for survivors and raise awareness of sexual violence. This year’s theme is Building Safe Online Spaces Together, which emphasizes that sexual violence can take place in any space, including online. Fortunately, there are many resources to help survivors and allies cope with the trauma of sexual assault. Here are a few resources:: (*)
Nationally recognized sexual health expert Katherine McLaughlin will host online discussions about sexual self-advocacy. The webinars will be available from 5 p.m. Central Time and will cover topics related to consent and healthy relationships. In addition, the art therapy team at Resilience is hosting an interactive workshop using art to unpack the trauma of survivors.
Ways to get involved
During sexual assault awareness month, you can get involved in a number of ways. For example, you can sign up to become a RAINN supporter and help them raise money for their services. RAINN is a national nonprofit that supports survivors of sexual violence and the families and loved ones of survivors. You can also organize your own fundraising campaign and promote it on social media. If you’re in college, you can also volunteer your time to teach other students about sexual assault prevention and recovery.
If you’d like to participate in a national campaign against sexual violence, consider writing letters to government officials and other organizations. These letters can address issues like sexual violence legislation or backlogs in rape kits. You can also volunteer with organizations such as RAINN, which trains volunteers to provide crisis support to victims and survivors.