Sexual abuse has been a part of our society for too long. An estimated 1 in 6 girls and 1 in 33 boys are sexually abused before they turn 18, and 1 in 5 women are raped at some point in their lives. These shocking numbers show we still have a long way to go towards preventing sexual violence.
Sexual abuse can happen to anyone, regardless of race, gender, religion, and socioeconomic status. Sexual assault isn’t always about physically touching someone or having sex. It can also include stalking, emotional abuse, or cyberstalking. Victims of this form of abuse may not know the person hurting them, making the cycle of abuse even more challenging to break.
Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Every year, April is designated as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. This month, we come together to raise awareness about the serious problem of sexual violence and how it affects people from all walks of life. It allows us to change ourselves and our communities to build greater respect and understanding of one another.
At IHC for HER, we are committed to empowering sexual trafficking survivors via education and job training and preventing it from happening to our kids by raising awareness. We collaborate with groups in the US and India to assist in the rescue of victims of human trafficking who are of Indian heritage. We strive to increase public awareness of sexual assault worldwide and inform communities about its prevention.
A Deeper Dive Into the Roots of the Movement
For the last 18 years, Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) has been celebrated as a time to bring awareness to sexual violence and help survivors heal. Even though there is still much work to be done in helping victims of sexual violence, significant strides have been made since the early 1990s, when Congress enacted the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).
In 2000, the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) was established. It held the first Sexual Awareness Month one year later, in 2001. In 2005, the campaign made a significant pivot from awareness and services for survivors to focusing many of its efforts on prevention. Further, Barack Obama proclaimed April as the official SAAM in 2009.
2023 Theme
This year, the theme for Sexual Assault Awareness Month is “Drawing Connections: Prevention Demands Equity.” This April’s Campaign asks everyone to help build racial equity and respect by changing ourselves and our environments, making it possible to increase awareness and start working towards solutions.
How Can You Raise Awareness and Help Victims?
This month, we want you to join us in raising awareness about sexual assault. Use #SexualAssaultAwarenessMonth or #SAAM on social media to spread the word and keep the conversation going. Another way to participate this month is by wearing the color teal to honor survivors and support the ongoing movement.
Sexual assault is a terrible problem, but the good news is that prevention is possible. By ending the stigma and continuing support and awareness programs, we can slowly but surely lower the number of sexual assaults yearly.
If you or anyone you know is experiencing any of these issues, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
Quick Exit