Sexual Assault Awareness Month: Why it Matters

It’s April. For many, this is just another month listed at the top of the calendar, simply known for welcoming rain showers and spring weather. For others, this month holds more weight. April is sexual assault awareness month, bringing light to survivors of abuse and the powerful men and women who stand with them. To me, more than anything, this is a month where we should all take a moment to recognize the vastness of this issue and think about how we can help make a difference. Across the globe, there are ways you can get involved to help prevent sexual assault and empower survivors.

With movements such as #MeToo and #TimesUp, it is easy to believe that the issue of silencing survivors is no more. Unfortunately, this issue stems deeper than we can fully grasp. Being a Spartan, I was a sophomore when I learned that my own university, the place I called home, put the title of a man over his decades-long abuse on young women and girls. Honest recounts of terrifying experiences were stuffed down so far, for so long. Even in watching justice be served, I knew that he stole a piece of each of those women. A piece they will never be able to fully recover. Countless headlines grace newspaper front pages and shed light on cowards and villains that stole the same piece from their victim(s). I’ll admit, it is hard to be positive and feel empowered in the wake of all this dark truth.

The numbers are staggering. According to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), an American is sexually assaulted every 73 seconds. On average, there are 433,648 victims (age 12 and above) of rape and sexual assault each year in the U.S. NO MORE reports that one in three women experience sexual assault or domestic violence at some point in their lives and one in six men experience sexual abuse before the age of 18. It can happen to anyone. Gone are the days where we could put a victim in a box. A victim can be your sister, your brother, your best friend.

This is real. But there is hope.

I’ve watched as survivors share their experiences in hopes of bringing solace to the many with stories just like theirs. I’ve listened as quiet voices spoke up. I’ve seen a shift in our understanding of the effects of sexual assault. I’ve watched people stand up to be allies for the voiceless and the nameless, to stand for those who never got the chance to tell their own story. We are heading in the right direction. We are joining together to fight the statistics and to hold predators and perpetrators responsible. Let us recognize the power in sexual assault awareness month and the power within each of us to make a difference.

Get Involved

Whether it’s donating money, time or resources, there are many ways you can help advocate for survivors. Here are a few organizations dedicated to supporting survivors and spurring political and social change. Click the links and find out how you can get involved:

Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN)

The nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization, focused on helping survivors, educating the public, improving public policy and offering consulting and training. RAINN carries out programs to prevent sexual violence, help survivors and ensure perpetrators are brought to justice.

RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline: 800-656-HOPE (4673)

NO MORE

Dedicated to ending domestic violence and sexual assault by increasing awareness, inspiring action and fueling culture change. NO MORE is a global initiative comprised of the largest coalition of nonprofits, corporations, government agencies, media, schools and individuals addressing domestic violence and sexual assault. The organization is committed to engaging, reaching and working with people from diverse communities to make a difference.

National Sexual Violence Resource Center

The National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) is the leading nonprofit in providing information and tools to prevent and respond to sexual violence. NSVRC translates research and trends into best practices that help individuals, communities and service providers achieve real and lasting change. This organization is working to prevent and respond to sexual violence through collaboration, promoting research, and sharing and creating resources.

End Rape on Campus

Working toward a world free from sexual violence, End Rape on Campus (EROC) works to end campus sexual violence through direct support for survivors and their communities. This organization believes in prevention through education and is advocating for policy reform at the campus, local, state and federal levels.