Breaking the Silence and Recognizing Sexual Assault Awareness Month
April marks Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a time for people across the globe to acknowledge and support the survivors of sexual violence. The aim is to raise awareness about sexual abuse and educate communities on how to prevent it. Sexual assault is an umbrella term that includes a wide range of offenses such as rape, molestation, unwanted sexual contact, sexual harassment, incest, child sexual abuse, sexual violence, even with an intimate partner, sexual exploitation, human trafficking, and voyeurism. It’s crucial to remember that sexual assault is a crime, and it’s crucial to take it seriously.
The purpose of this observation is to encourage people to speak up in support of survivors of sexual assault. While one month isn’t sufficient to eradicate this issue completely, it’s a great place to start. Let’s take advantage of this month to play our part in ending sexual assault. Here are some essential statistics about sexual assault in the United States.
Approximately 1 in 5 women in the US has experienced rape or attempted rape at some point in their lives, while 1 in 67 men has experienced the same. Every 98 seconds, someone in America is sexually assaulted. Only 5 out of every 1,000 perpetrators will end up in prison, which is why it’s critical to speak out. Most sexual assaults occur at or near the victim’s home, often by someone they know and/or trust. Healthcare costs are 16% higher for women who were sexually abused as children. Rape is the most underreported crime, with 63% of sexual assaults going unreported.
During Sexual Assault Awareness Month, use the hashtags #SAAM, #SexualAssaultAwarenessMonth, or #SexualAssaultAwareness to post on social media. Use your voice and any platform you have to help end sexual assault across the world. Another way to participate in this observance is to wear the color teal to honor survivors and continue the conversation.
Sexual assault is a terrible problem, but prevention is achievable. End victim shaming and hold the perpetrators responsible. By eliminating the stigma that victims face, providing support to victims, and increasing awareness programs, we can gradually decrease and eliminate sexual abuse and assault.
The goal of SAAM is to educate people on how to prevent sexual assault from happening and provide resources to those who have been affected by it. Prevention methods include creating a culture of consent, promoting healthy relationships, and teaching bystander intervention techniques. Bystander intervention involves teaching individuals to recognize the warning signs of sexual assault and to intervene before it happens.
SAAM is also an opportunity to show support to survivors of sexual assault. Survivors often face shame, guilt, and self-blame, which can prevent them from seeking the help they need. It’s important to let survivors know that they are not alone and that there are resources available to them. These resources include hotlines, counseling services, and support groups.
SAAM is a time to promote unity and solidarity in the fight against sexual assault. Communities can organize events such as walks, marches, and rallies to raise awareness about sexual violence. Social media can also be used to spread awareness and share resources. The hashtag #SAAM is used to share stories, provide resources, and show support for survivors.
Once again, if you or someone you know is experiencing any of these types of sexual assault, please call the police or the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline. Sexual assault is a crime, and it must be addressed with urgency and severity. Don’t be afraid to speak out if you’ve been a victim of sexual assault.
Staff Reporter
