When is Sexual Assault Awareness Month?

The Attorneys at Oberheiden Law Group Are Proud Participants in Sexual Assault Awareness Month 

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Sexual assault is a major issue across the United States. From homes to offices, from university campuses to nursing homes, and from bars and restaurants to hospitals, sexual assault is a problem everywhere—and it is a problem that, sadly, is not going to go away on its own. 

This is why initiatives like Sexual Assault Awareness Month are so important. Raising awareness is one of the most effective ways that we can all help protect those who are vulnerable. At Oberheiden Law Group, we are proud to participate in Sexual Assault Awareness Month, just as we are proud to fight for victims across the United States. 

About Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) is observed every April. It was founded by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) in 2001, and Barack Obama was the first president to formally recognize April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in 2009. 

Since then, the NSVRC has continued to promote SAAM annually—and it has continued to grow. Today, advocacy organizations across the United States use SAAM as an opportunity to help raise awareness and educate communities about both the prevalence and the consequences of sexual assault. The NSVRC publishes several resources on its website to help organizations (and individuals) participate in SAAM each year, and each year it selects a new theme focused on a key aspect of awareness, prevention, or recovery. 

Understanding the Importance of SAAM 

To understand the importance of Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), we can take a look at some of the statistics on sexual assault in the United States. To be blunt, they are alarming. For example, according to the NSVRC: 

• More than half of all women (53%) report experiencing some form of sexual violence in their lifetime.
• Nearly a third of all men (29%) report experiencing some form of sexual violence in their lifetime. 
• Sexual violence is particularly prevalent in certain populations. For example, more than 33% of Hispanic women and more than 80% percent of American Indian and Alaska Native women report experiencing some form of sexual violence in their lifetime. 

These statistics align with data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other authorities. Regarding sexual violence on college campuses, Princeton University refers to sexual assault on college campuses as “an epidemic in the United States,” and the advocacy organization RAINN reports that women between the ages of 18 and 24 are approximately 3.5 times more likely to be sexually assaulted than women in other age groups.  

As we said above, these are not problems that are going to go away on their own. While raising awareness isn’t enough on its own, it is an important step—and it is a step that everyone can take. We encourage everyone to participate in Sexual Assault Awareness Month, whether this means donating to a worthy organization, volunteering time in person, or posting messages of support on social media. 

Put our highly experienced team on your side

Dr. Nick Oberheiden

Founder

Attorney-at-Law

Lynette S. Byrd

Former DOJ Trial Attorney

Partner

Brian J. Kuester

Former U.S. Attorney

Hon. Kevin McCarthy

55th Speaker, U.S. House of Representatives (ret.)

Government Consultant

Mike Pompeo

Of Counsel

Former U.S. Secretary of State

John W. Sellers

Former Senior DOJ Trial Attorney

Linda Julin McNamara

Federal Appeals Attorney

Nicholas B. Johnson

Former Prosecutor

Roger Bach

Former Special Agent (DOJ)

Chris J. Quick

Former Special Agent (FBI & IRS-CI)

Michael S. Koslow

Former Supervisory Special Agent (DOD-OIG)

Ray Yuen

Former Supervisory Special Agent (FBI)

How You Can Participate in Sexual Assault Awareness Month

If you are interested in getting involved, how can you participate in Sexual Assault Awareness Month this coming April? Here are some tips and resources from the NSVRC: 

1. Learn About the Risk Factors and Protective Factors for Sexual Assault

The NSVRC has published an infographic that outlines the various risk factors for sexual assault as well as the protective factors that can help protect those who may be vulnerable. The infographic also highlights social determinants that can increase individuals’ risk of falling victim to sexual assault, and it provides some insight into the larger changes that are necessary in society to change the perceptions and norms that have allowed sexual assault to become so prevalent over the past several decades. 

2. Learn About What Constitutes Sexual Assault (and Sexual Violence)

While the term sexual assault is commonly used to refer to violent forms of sexual predation, the broader term for this form of behavior is sexual violence. As the NSVRC explains, “[s]exual violence is an umbrella term that includes any type of unwanted sexual contact — including sexual abuse, assault, and harassment.” 

Under this broad umbrella, sexual violence can take many different forms. Sexual Assault Awareness Month focuses on trying to put a stop to all forms of sexual violence, including (but not limited to): 

• Nonconsensual sexual contact 
• Nonconsensual sexual exposure 
• Rape
• Sexual abuse
• Sexual assault
• Sexual exploitation 
• Sexual harassment
• Sexual trafficking 
• Harmful or exploitative words, images, videos, and other depictions and actions that are sexual in nature

Understanding the scope of the problem is important for framing potential solutions. This resource from RAINN provides more information. 

3. Participate in the SAAM Day of Action 

The first Tuesday of every April is the SAAM Day of Action. As the NSVRC explains, “The Day of Action is an opportunity to start the month with highly visible and coordinated actions. It’s the perfect opportunity to plan an event, post SAAM-related social media content, or participate in the #30DaysofSAAM Instagram challenge.” 

4. Participate in SAAM Denim Day 

The last Wednesday of every April is SAAM Denim Day. This is a day when supporters of sexual abuse victims wear jeans to show their support and help raise awareness. Denim Day has a website of its own, and there you can find more information about the event, its sponsors, and other ways to participate. 

5. Participate in #30DaysofSAAM and Show Your Support on Social Media 

If you are active on social media, you can also use your social media profiles to show your support and help raise public awareness during Sexual Assault Awareness Month. This includes participating in the #30DaysofSAAM challenge. According to the NSVRC, “[d]aily prompts encourage creative ways to raise awareness, educate, and connect with others — plus, you have a chance to win prizes every day you participate.”

The NSVRC has also established other hashtags that social media users can use to promote SAAM, and it has sample graphics and posts that you can use as-is or modify to your liking. You can find these resources here.

FAQs: Sexual Assault Prevention & Protecting Victims’ Legal Rights 

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