Sexual Assault Awareness Month

 

In the United States, April is recognized as Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), a time to raise public awareness about sexual violence and educate communities on how to prevent it. One in 3 women and 1 in 6 men have experienced sexual violence involving physical contact at some point in their lives according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Statistics underestimate the problem because many victims do not tell the police, family, or friends about the violence.

This year, the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) celebrates SAAM's 18th anniversary with the theme, I Ask. The campaign's goal is to empower everyone to put consent into practice. I Ask is the statement by which individuals will demonstrate that asking for consent is a healthy, normal, and necessary part of everyday interactions. Campaign participants can share key messages of the campaign throughout their communities and online; they'll demonstrate the importance of consent and set an example for their partners, friends, and loved ones. NSVRC has provided a variety of I Ask campaign resources including information on the basics of consent in-person and online, how to teach consent early, how power impacts consent, graphics, a campaign toolkit and social media guide as well as campaign items for purchase, a #30DaysofSAAM Instagram contest, and extensive event planning materials.

 

Several important dates take place during SAAM. Tuesday, April 2, 2019 is the Day of Action, which involves wearing teal, the color of sexual assault awareness and prevention. Wearing teal serves as a conversation starter about topics such as consent, respect, rape culture, and supporting survivors. Participants are encouraged to share a selfie of themselves wearing teal and use the hashtags #SAAM, #IAsk, and #Teal. Additional days to note include:

The following organizations have additional information and resources on how to implement a strong sexual assault prevention campaign on your campus this April:

To learn more about SAAM, visit the NSVRC and be sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for #SAAM updates all month long.

National Crime Victims' Rights Week is

April 7-13, 2019

National Crime Victims' Rights Week (NCVRW) is an opportunity for colleges and universities to inform students, faculty, and staff about the victimization experience and how it hurts people and communities, as well as promote laws, policies, and programs that help crime victims. This year, NCVRW is April 7-13 and the theme is "Honoring Our Past. Creating Hope for the Future." The U.S. Department of Justice, which runs the program through its Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), plans to celebrate progress in crime victim services and look ahead to more inclusive, accessible, trauma-informed services.

 

The 2019 NCVRW Resource Guide includes a sample proclamation, professionally developed posters, web artwork, and various outreach materials, available in English and Spanish, for campus officials to use to inspire the community and raise awareness about victims' rights. To aid in these efforts, campus officials can view two OVC recorded webinars:  Maximizing the Impact of Your Campaign , which brings together national experts who discuss how to raise awareness about victims' rights and services during NCVRW, and  Creating a Vicarious Trauma-Informed Organization: Strategies for Success , which provides an overview of and instructions for using the OVC Vicarious Trauma Toolkit designed to help organizations be more trauma-informed.

 

On April 12, OVC will hold the 2019 National Crime Victims' Service Awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. at the National Archives. The event will recognize outstanding service from people, programs, and organizations that support crime victims and victim services. Visit the OVC website for a national calendar of other crime victim assistance-related events and additional resources ( PDF ), as well as a searchable directory of crime victim services and service providers, and to sign up for the NCVRW mailing list .

 

The National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA), the oldest national victim assistance organization and a leader in victim advocacy, education, and credentialing, is hosting several events during National Crime Victims' Rights Week:

For more resources on this topic, visit our online library and use search tag "victim services."

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