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Make a difference during Sexual Assault Awareness Month!
Right now, as you read this blog, someone in the U.S. is being sexually assaulted. One in five women will be raped at some point in their lives.
Last year alone, 33,648 Americans 12 and older were sexually assaulted or raped. And 60,000 children were victims of sexual abuse.
Yes, sexual violence is rampant, not only in this country, but around the world. Statistically, chances are good you are either a survivor of sexual assault or you know someone who is.
A Case For Women invites you to join us as we connect with our community during Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM).
SAAM is an annual campaign to raise awareness about sexual assault and educate communities and individuals on how to prevent these abhorrent acts of violence and coercion. Together, we can make a difference!
What is sexual assault?
Sexual assault includes any sexual behavior that is against the will of another person – often through manipulation, force or coercion
Types of sexual assault include rape, sexual battery, child sexual abuse, incest, same-sex assault, and sexual harassment and often have devastating long-term effects on a victim’s life. This includes not only depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress but also physical manifestations such as high blood pressure and sleep loss. Sexual violence also affects victims’ relationship with their family, friends, and co-workers.
Sexual violence can happen to anyone– and often when least expected
- 48% of survivors were sleeping, or performing another activity at home
- 29% were traveling to and from work or school, or traveling to shop or run errands
- 12% were working
- 7% were attending school
- 5% were doing an unknown or other activity
Think there’s nothing we can do about it? Think again. Sexual assault awareness relies on people who have made a choice to do something and get involved.
Don’t mind your own business – be an involved bystander!
If you see something that isn’t right, it probably isn’t. You, as a bystander, have the opportunity to act and change the outcome by safely stepping in. This can be something as small has calling out sexist language as offensive, or as big as calling the police when witnessing an act of sexual violence.
20 ways you can help stop these heinous acts of violence:
- Educate yourself on violence against women by learning the facts
- Know that sexual violence is about power and control
- Call for legislation and funding that would support survivors
- Speak out against images of violence against women in advertising, pornography, and other forms of media
- Understand that sexual violence affects us all
- Believe survivors
- Don’t blame victims
- Know that sexual violence can be a form of domestic violence
- Learn how to take action if you witness a violent act
- Support women and men working to end sexual violence by volunteering your time, donating money, and/or lobbying legislators
- Hold your friends accountable when they disrespect women and girls
- Speak out against racist, sexist, or homophobic jokes
- Applaud others who speak out against violence and oppression
- Teach kids that respect is the minimum in a relationship and lead by example
- Know that most sex offenders aren’t strangers (86% are known to the victim)
- Stop others from taking advantage of someone who is intoxicated
- Call for help if you witness an act of violence
- Don’t let your drink out of our sight, even for a few seconds
- Avoid buying music that glorifies sexual violence
- Recognize that sexual violence will not end until men become part of the solution
For a daily calendar of creative ways to raise awareness, educate, and connect with others visit the NSVRC website.
“It’s a beautiful thing, to be a survivor of something so heinous.”
Samantha Moore, Survivor
