April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, an annual campaign to educate communities and individuals about the signs, symptoms, and consequences of sexual violence.
This month is especially important because the statistics surrounding sexual violence are staggering. Although it’s a sad reality for many people, many survivors are able to get their stories out in the open. The following article will discuss the different types of sexual assault, their effects, and the misconceptions surrounding sexual violence.
Events
Events during sexual assault awareness month include the Day of Action, a national event on the first Tuesday in April. This is a chance to begin the month with coordinated actions, whether a march or a social media campaign. The #30DaysofSAAM hashtag and the National Sexual Violence Resource Center are great resources for further information. Wearing teal is a good way to show support for survivors and signal safety for those who are at risk of sexual violence.
The Sexual Assault Awareness Month committee at Pitt is hosting a resource fair, featuring organizations and resources for victims and bystanders. This event will also feature information on resources for survivors of sexual assault, including counseling services, support groups, and self-care items. All Pitt community members are welcome to attend. SETpoint coaches will be available to teach survivors of sexual violence practical methods of protection and healing. A workshop will be held on April 15 to raise awareness and educate participants about self-defense.
Teal is a symbol of support for survivors
Wearing teal during sexual assault awareness month is a subtle way to show your support for victims of rape and sexual assault. It’s also a great conversation starter, because it conveys that you respect and support victims of sexual violence. It is also an excellent way to spread awareness about the sexual assault issue, as most of these crimes occur close to the victim’s home.
To show your support for SAAM, wear a teal ribbon to show your support. On April 5, the Department of the Army is sponsoring a pledge day for the month. All Army personnel are encouraged to wear the color, as well as jeans, to show their support for survivors of sexual assault. During the month, you can also wear teal on Tuesday, April 7, and participate in Denim Day on Wednesday, April 29, 2020.
Survivors blame themselves
Survivors of sexual assault often blame themselves for what happened. As a woman, you may feel guilty for the assault, but the truth is, sexual assault is not your fault. One in four women will experience a sexual assault at some point in their lives. If you were to ask the woman who sexually assaulted you, she’d probably respond by saying she’s a victim, not a perpetrator.
When you experience sexual assault, your brain goes through several different processes. One of these is called “subcortical processes,” which determine how your brain reacts to threats. When you’re attacked, your brain produces a “fight or flight response,” but you might not feel ready for that in an assault. Instead, you might shut down. Often, the reason is that you didn’t fight back enough or didn’t report the assault to authorities. These are all incredibly normal responses, but the abuser took advantage of the fact that you didn’t report the assault.
Misconceptions about sexual violence
A common misconception about sexual violence is that it occurs exclusively in male-dominated settings. This is simply not true. According to the FBI crime statistics, approximately 2 percent of all rape reports are fake. Despite this fact, the number of female victims is increasing by leaps and bounds. Despite this fact, many women do not report the sexual assaults they have experienced, and even those who do report are often not believed.
When it comes to sexual violence, many people automatically think of workplace harassment and attacks on strangers. However, this category does not include “intimate partner violence.” Sexual assault can also occur within abusive romantic relationships. In this article, IU Health nurse practitioner Barb Bachmeier dispels some myths about this crime and discusses how to recognize it. People who are willing to acknowledge and challenge sexual violence are more likely to support the victims.
Ways to raise awareness
If you’d like to make your community a safer place, there are many ways to raise sexual assault awareness month. One way is to write letters to newspaper editors and submit articles to college newspapers. Another way is to hold fundraisers for your local crisis center, such as dress down days. If your community doesn’t have a crisis center, you can also ask local radio stations to air programs about sexual violence and promote the awareness month by distributing donation jars. All services at The Center are free of charge, and they rely on donations and community partners to continue their mission. If you’re a teacher, you can also reach out to students in your school community and engage them in a social change movement.
Sexual violence is a serious issue and bringing awareness to the issue can energize prevention efforts. It’s estimated that one in five women and one in every 67 men in the U.S. experience some form of sexual assault. And while only about one in five victims report the crime to the police, false reports of sexual assault crimes are estimated at between 2 and 10%. These statistics make it imperative to spread awareness about sexual violence so that no one has to experience it.
