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MCC Daily Tribune

Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month

Sexual Assault Awareness Month, observed each April, is a campaign that aims to increase awareness about the causes and risk factors for sexual assault and empower individuals to take steps to prevent it in their communities. Since 2001, the National Sexual Violence Research Center has coordinated annual programming, developing materials and resources for organizations and agencies to use. The SAAM campaign works with a variety of non-profit organizations and foundations to spread the message of awareness and prevention through educational programs, public events, and petitions for legislative action.

 

SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH ACTIVITIES

  1. Educate yourself

    To learn more about how to prevent sexual assault and domestic violence and support survivors, take a look at the resources compiled by the Sexual Violence Resource Center on its website or contact your local rape crisis center.

  2. Volunteer or donate

    Many wonderful organizations do the vital work of advocating for better laws, counseling survivors, and developing educational campaigns. You can donate your time or money to a worthy organization to help them keep their operations going.

  3. Attend an event

    Find your local Take Back the Night rally or other public event honoring Sexual Assault Awareness Month and show your solidarity with the cause.

 

5 FACTS ABOUT SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS

  1. Activism leads to change

    Thanks to the efforts of survivors and advocates, the justice system now does more to protect victims of sexual assault and imposes harsher sentences on perpetrators.

  2. There are over 1,100 rape crisis centers

    There are over 1,100 RAINN-affiliated rape crisis centers in the U.S., and many other organizations provide services and support to survivors, allies, and advocates.

  3. Rape frequently happens between partners

    In more than half of rape cases involving female victims, the perpetrator was an intimate partner.

  4. Men experience rape at one tenth the rate of women

    In the U.S., 21% of women and 2.6% of men have experienced rape. However, this still amounts to a significant figure, with over 3 million men reporting a rape during their lifetime.

  5. Sexual assault has financial costs too

    The estimated lifetime financial loss due to rape is $122,461 per victim. This includes medical costs, the loss of productivity, criminal justice costs, and other associated losses.

 

WHY WE LOVE SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH

  1. It sheds light on an important issue

    SAAM gives advocates and educators the tools and resources to engage their communities in sexual assault prevention and education.

  2. It raises money and resources

    The annual campaign provides publicity and much-needed donations for organizations that work to decrease sexual assault, support survivors, and advocate for improved legislation and support systems.

  3. It de-stigmatizes survivors

    Having an open conversation about issues like sexual violence can help reduce the shame and stigma felt by survivors and encourage them to seek support and community.

Sarah Benedict
MCC Wellness Council
04/05/2022