April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a time to honor the voices and experiences of victims and survivors.
Looking at the history of the movement to end sexual violence, it’s clear why: It’s impossible to prevent an issue no one knows about, and it’s difficult to make people aware of a problem without providing a solution. The two work in tandem, and they always have. From the civil rights movement to the founding of the first rape crisis centers to national legislation and beyond, the roots of SAAM run deep.
April 2021 marks the 20th anniversary of SAAM and that is why the theme for this year is We Can Build Safe Online Spaces.
As technology has evolved to become a part of our everyday lives, our awareness of ways it can be used to bully, threaten, and commit abuse has grown as well. Just over the past few decades, terms such as “sextortion,” “revenge porn,” and “doxxing” have been added to the public lexicon. Other examples of common abusive behaviors online include child pornography, online harassment, or posting unsolicited explicit images.
This April, during Sexual Assault Awareness Month, learn how you can practice consent online, keep the kids in your life safe from abuse, facilitate and participate in respectful online communities. In addition, explore the impact that trauma from online abuse can have and the options available for survivors looking for support. As new platforms emerge and technology expands, by leading with these foundational principles we can build safe online spaces now and into the future.
Tri-Valley Haven will be holding online events throughout April. We invite you to join us on April 6th for the National Day of Action. Post a selfie to show your support for survivors (#SAAM2021). More details are below. On Wednesday, April 28, the Haven will be observing Denim Day (#DenimDay). We invite you to wear jeans and engage on social media on this day as a symbol of protest against erroneous and destructive attitudes about sexual assault. Follow Tri-Valley Haven on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tik Tok throughout Sexual Assault Awareness Month for more information about these online happenings and more. We look forward to seeing you online!