SAAM

 Join RVAP and the nation in recognizing Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) this April. Check out calendar and events to see how you can participate or  to view our past SAAM campaigns.

 

What is Sexual Assault Awareness Month?

SAAM is a 4 week series of events dedicated to ending sexual violence, honoring victims’/survivors’ experiences and educating communities about sexual assault. It is promoted by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center. For more information on SAAM, visit http://www.nsvrc.org/saam.

 

What events does RVAP sponser during SAAM?

In addition to participating in the nationally observed Clothesline Project and Take Back the Night, RVAP coordinates its own local programming, including:

 

Cup of Prevention: Coffee shops serve up information on counseling, hospital services, risk reduction tips and the WhistleSAFE Program with your daily latte.

 

Prom Promise: Local florists distribute cards in corsage and boutonniere boxes ordered for prom, reminding students to be respectful and communicate with their dates. 

 

These events and others vary by year. Past activities have included sexual assault dialogues, speeches, giveaways, interactive presentations and healing gatherings for victims/survivors. View our SAAM calendar for more information.

 

Why have an entire month dedicated to sexual assault?

Sexual violence is a widespread issue in our communities. 

  • Every day, 3-4 American women are killed by a batterer1
  • Every 2 minutes, someone in the US is sexually assaulted2

SAAM empowers individuals, giving them the resources and information they need to build healthy relationships and safe, non-violent communities.

 

How long has SAAM been around? 

Prevention educators, women’s centers and other advocacy groups across the nation have observed SAAM since 2001. The awareness month was officially recognized by President Barack Obama in an April 2011 proclamation:


"We must break the silence so no victim anguishes without resources or aid in their time of greatest need. Working together, we can reduce the incidence of sexual assault and heal lives that have already been devastated by this terrible crime." View the full proclamation.

1U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 2003
2U.S. Department of Justice. 2007 National Crime Victimization Survey. 2007.

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