April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM)
NOW,
THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America,
by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws
of the United States, do hereby proclaim April 2012 as National Sexual
Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. I urge all Americans to support
survivors of sexual assault and work together to prevent these crimes
in their communities.
President Barack Obama, April 2012
History of SAAM
Sexual assault is a term that is used to encompass the multitude of ways in which a person can be violated in a sexual nature against her/his will. It is defined as any sexual act directed against another person, that is forcible and/or against that person’s will; or, where that person is incapable of giving consent. Sexual assault is a crime in all of the U.S. states and territories.
Sexual Assault Awareness Month serves to bring awareness around these issues. Following the initial observance of October for Domestic Violence Awareness Month, advocates of sexual assault survivors sought to create a similar awareness event more specific to sexual violence. What started out as an awareness week in April, grew into a month-long consciousness-raising event as advocates began to coordinate events throughout the month of April.
In April of 2001, the U.S. began to nationally observe the month of April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Throughout the month, organizations across the country host events and programs that aim to educate the public and reach out to survivors. Teal ribbons are worn by many to raise awareness in support of the cause.
Get Involved
Raising awareness about sexual assault at UNH is not just a women's issue. It is a community issue. We hope that this month (and going forward) you will join the movement to end violence at UNH, particularly sexual violence against women!
Here are some ways to get involved:
- Attend SHARPP events! We have many GREAT events planned during the month of April (see full list below)
- Wear a Sexual Assault Awareness Month Ribbon throughout the month of April. Teal ribbons are available at the SHARPP office and men can join the White Ribbon Campaign and wear a white ribbon.
- Men! Join the White Ribbon Campaign! UNH puts a call to all men on campus to take the pledge to end violence against women and girls
- Talk! Have discussions with your friends, classmates, professors, colleagues and family members about how sexual violence effects our communities
- Write a letter to the editor of The New Hampshire, or other local newspaper about the importance of raising awareness of sexual violence on college campuses, particularly UNH
- Take care of yourself. If you are a survivor of a sexual assault, there are many great resources at UNH to assist you. Start by contacting SHARPP
- Concerned about a friend? Use this month as a way to learn more about how you can support a friend who has been sexually assaulted and/or is in an abuse relationship
- Get social with SHARPP! If you haven't already, "Like" the SHARPP Facebook page. Throughout the month of April we will be posting facts about sexual violence, our events and other great information
- Change your Facebook profile picture to a clock, representing the Sexual Assault Awareness month theme for 2012.
