April is the month when we raise public awareness about sexual violence and educate communities on how to prevent it. Below are resources to help you plan your campaign and support community efforts for Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Embrace Your Voice
Embrace Your Voice is the official national campaign organized by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center. Individuals can embrace their voice to show their support for survivors, stand up to victim blaming, shut down rape jokes, correct harmful misconceptions, promote everyday consent, and practice healthy communication with youth. The NSVRC website is full of materials that can help you start important conversations about sexual violence prevention in your community. Check it out!
ICESA Events
Join the Indiana Coalition to End Sexual Assault at their SAAM events throughout April.
- April 7 – Teal Out on the Canal – Music, guest speakers, community service providers, giveaways, fun family-friendship activities, and of course, the dyeing of the canal teal.
- April 9-10 – 2018 Statewide Sexual Assault Conference – This year’s theme is Engage: Difficult Conversations for Meaningful Change
- April 9 – Illuminate: Casting a Light on Survivors – ICESA, in partnership with Legacy House, is hosting a moving and visually impactful event to recognize and honor the collective strength and resilience of survivors and raise the public’s awareness of this epidemic.
#TransToo Coloring Page Contest
For SAAM 2018, Forge is inviting artists to design and submit a coloring book style image around the concept of #TransToo. The #MeToo movement – a movement raising awareness of sexual harassment, misconduct, abuse, and assault – has remained solely focused on women, leaving the majority of trans and non-binary survivors feeling erased from this powerful movement that has led to so many female survivors feeling validation and healing. The #TransToo coloring page contest is open to everyone – survivors, loved ones, providers, and allies. #TransToo can mean many different things to different people – let the world know that sexual violence affects #Trans(people)Too! Learn more about the contest here.
Other Resources
Check out the following resources to think about the conversations you can have this month and use your voice to prevent sexual violence.
PreventConnect: The Leading Edge in the Anti-Rape Movement is Social Change
The Gazette: Me To Founder – Don’t Wait
April 19: Live Stream of Tarana Burke speaking at Michigan State University
