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Sexual Assault Awareness Month
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). This cause is represented by the awareness color teal.
Roots of the Sexual Assault Awareness Month Movement
As long as there have been people who care about making the world better, there have been individuals advocating for sexual assault prevention. In the United States, movements for social change and equality gained traction in the 1940s and 1950s. This started with the civil rights era. Limited, open discussion of the realities of sexual assault and domestic violence were part of this movement. Activists for equal rights began to challenge the status quo.
Black women and women of color championed efforts during this time. For example, advocates like Rosa Parks worked at the intersections of race-based and gender-based violence. As time passed, wide social activism around the issue of sexual assault continued. This occurred into the 1970s. Support for survivors and heightened awareness increased. In addition, San Francisco founded the first rape crisis center in 1971. Seven years later, San Francisco held the first “Take Back the Night” event.
The following decades mobilized survivors and advocates to call for legislation and funding that would support survivors. An example of this is the Violence Against Women Act of 1993 (VAWA).
The Birth of the Teal Ribbon For Sexual Violence
Monumental changes like VAWA demonstrated that national efforts promoting sexual violence prevention were needed. Even before SAAM was first nationally observed in 2001, advocates held events, marches, and observances. These were related to sexual violence, and took place during the month of April. Sometimes the observances were a week-long Sexual Assault Awareness Week.
To further coordinate awareness and prevention efforts, in 2000, the newly launched National Sexual Violence Resource Center and the Resource Sharing Project polled sexual violence coalitions. They asked organizations about their preferred awareness color symbol and month for Sexual Assault Awareness Week activities. The results showed that those in the movement preferred a teal ribbon as a symbol for sexual assault awareness. SAAM, as we know it, was born.
Statistics About Sexual Violence and Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Sexual violence is a very serious pubic health problem that affects millions of women and men.
- Prevalence: In the United States, every 68 seconds someone is sexually assaulted.
- Victims by gender: One in six women and one in 10 men have been victims of rape in their lifetime.
- Victims by age: Most victims are under 30 years old.
- Victims by relationship to offender: The majority of victims know their offender.
- Victims by race: 29% of non-Hispanic Black women have been raped in their lifetime, 34.8% of Hispanic women have experienced unwanted sexual contact, and 84.3% of American Indian and Alaska Native women have experienced violence.
- Victims by transgender status: 47% of transgender people have been sexually assaulted.
- Victims by college attendance: One in five women and one in 16 men are sexually assaulted during college.
- Victims by age of first rape: Most female victims of completed rape experience their first rape before age 25.
- Reporting to law enforcement: Only 12% of primary victims report the incident to law enforcement.
Definition of Sexual Violence
When consent is not freely given, sexual violence has occurred. This includes completed or attempted sex acts that are against the victim’s will or involve a victim who is unable to consent.
Sexual violence impacts a person’s health in many ways and can lead to long-term physical and mental health problems. For example, victims may experience chronic pain, headaches, and sexually transmitted diseases. In addition, they are often fearful or anxious and may have problems trusting others. Anger and stress can lead to eating disorders, depression, and even suicidal thoughts.
If you are or someone you know is a victim of sexual violence, contact the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN) hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE. Help is free, confidential, and available 24/7.
(Image: herampus.com ; Content: cdc.gov)
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