Sexual Assault Awareness Month begins today! This national annual campaign began as a week-long activity in the 1980s, and was lengthened to a month-long campaign in April, 2001. The goal of SAAM is to increase awareness of this public health and social justice issue, and to educate the community about prevention. The National Sexual Violence Resource Center selects a theme for each year’s focus, and this year the theme is “Drawing Connections: Prevention Demands Equity”.
From the NSVRC, “Drawing Connections recognizes that it will take ending all forms of oppression to end sexual harassment, assault, and abuse. It calls on all individuals, communities, organizations, and institutions to change ourselves and the systems surrounding us to build racial equity and respect.”
It is during this month each year that advocates, activists,and communities plan activities across the country to support survivors and their families. For 2023, Crisis Line & Safe House staff will engage in educational talks, set up resource tables at community events, and host the annual Take Back the Night.
Take Back the Night is an international event that began in the 1970s. This year’s TBTN for middle Georgia will include a display of the Clothesline Project, guest speakers, an opportunity for survivors and loved ones to speak out, and a candlelight vigil. Join us and our community partners, Wesleyan College and Geico Philanthropic Foundation, on April 18 at 6:30pm on the Wesleyan College campus.
In addition, Crisis Line & Safe House is launching a fundraising campaign on Tuesday, April 4, for the SAAM Day of Action. This campaign will give members of the community an opportunity to donate in honor of a victim or loved one. No amount is too small, and funds raised will be used to provide free services to victims and families in Central Georgia.
Keep an eye on CL-SH social media all month long to learn more about the problem of sexual violence, services available to victims and their loved ones, and prevention efforts in our community.
