Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM)

Every year during April, service providers, the community, and survivors come together to bring awareness and share resources about sexual violence. 

This year's theme is "Building Connected Communities." To find out more information, please visit NSVRC website.

History of SAAM

It may be surprising to hear that SAAM first began in 2001! Although Sexual Assault Awareness Week was something that happened in April for many years prior, it didn't become official until 2001. The teal ribbon and month were decided by coalitions across the nation. Each year a theme is decided on, and the National Sexual Violence Resource Center posts information and resources for service providers to put on their own SAAM events. (You can find that here). Awareness, prevention, and including everyone in the movement to end sexual violence is the aim of SAAM. For more information about the history of SAAM, check out NSVRC's website! 

Events

There are common events that take place during SAAM. NSVRC's website supplies graphics, event ideas, themes, and more for SAAM. A brief description of each is listed below. To see what is happening in your area this year, click here! 

Start by Believing Day is observed each year to change the way we respond to and support survivors of sexual assault. The first thing we do is believe the survivor when they disclose. It's one of the most important steps and one of the easiest.

Take Back The Night has been observed for more than 60 years. It began to help organize folks through rallies, events, protests, marches, and speak-outs, among other things, to end sexual violence. There are many activities you can do in your community to observe this event!

Denim day is observed on the last Wednesday of April. In 1999 the first Denim day was observed due to an Italian Supreme Court case that overturned a rape conviction based on the tightness of the victim's jeans. 

Check out what's happening in your community

Past years

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