SAAM Day of Action
The first Tuesday of every April is the SAAM Day of Action. Most importantly, The Day of Action is an opportunity to start off the month with highly visible and coordinated actions. For example, plan an event, schedule SAAM-related social media content, or participate in the #30DaysofSAAM. In addition, find your own way to get involved.
Wear Teal on the SAAM Day of Action
Chances are someone in your life is a survivor of sexual harassment. This can also include assault, or abuse, even if they have never shared their story with you. Show your support for survivors of sexual harassment and abuse by wearing teal. Teal is the color of sexual violence prevention. We offer teal silicone wristbands, teal fabric awareness ribbon pins, and teal enamel pins to recognize SAAM Day of Action.
Sexual violence is any type of unwanted sexual contact, ranging from sexist attitudes and actions to rape and murder. Sexual violence can include words and actions of a sexual nature against a person’s will. For example, an offender might also use force, threats, manipulation, or coercion to commit sexual violence.
There is a social context that surrounds sexual violence. Social norms that promote violence, using power over others, unhealthy concepts about masculinity, the subjugation of women, and silence about violence and abuse contribute to the occurrence of sexual violence.
Oppression in all of its forms is among the root causes of sexual violence. Sexual violence is preventable through collaborations of community members at multiple levels of society. This includes homes, neighborhoods, schools, faith settings, workplaces, and other settings. We all play a role in preventing sexual violence. And also in establishing norms of respect, safety, equality, and helping others. Wear a teal enamel awareness ribbon pin, fabric ribbon, or teal silicone wristband to call attention to this important awareness month.
Sexual violence can be prevented. Even though harmful and inequitable histories and systems exist that normalize and condone sexual violence, things are changing. Many people are working to erase the silence and shame that keep sexual violence hidden. They are also working in their communities to create positive social norms. And, in addition, policies that promote equity and safety. You don’t have to work in the field of sexual assault prevention to make a difference. We can all help prevent sexual violence by modeling and promoting healthy and positive relationships that are based on respect, safety, and equality.
We all have the ability to positively influence others. You can help the people you care about question their harmful beliefs. Speak up if a friend makes jokes or comments about sexual assault or modeling consent with friends and family. Taking action in some way, shape, or form helps to change the thoughts and behaviors of a community.
Get Involved on the SAAM Day of Action
The movement to end sexual violence in the United States, and around the world, relies on people who’ve made a choice to do something. Sexual violence often seems inevitable. But the choice to do something and get involved has made incredible changes in national and global conversations about sexual violence. In recent decades, these changing conversations have expanded support for survivors. This has led to substantial innovation in the work of preventing sexual violence.
There are many ways you can become involved in the work of changing conversations about sexual violence, supporting survivors, and preventing sexual violence before it ever happens.
Volunteer: Community rape crisis centers often rely on the support of volunteers to provide services to victims (such as answering telephone calls from survivors) and to help implement prevention programs (like talking to students about sexual violence).
Organize: Throughout the country, passionate groups of community members organize events, plays, and rallies to raise awareness about sexual violence. Your community rape crisis center can often help you to find these groups, or give you advice on how to start a group of your own.
Learn: The root causes of sexual violence run deep and are sometimes hard to understand. Learning about sexual violence from resource centers can help you to understand these root causes. They can also make you a part of the national conversation about sexual violence and a more effective advocate for survivors and the work of prevention.
Donate: Like most social change endeavors, rape crisis centers, and other organizations working to address sexual violence rely on public funding to operate. Your donation is essential to pushing the movement to end sexual violence forward.
