October – Relationship Abuse Awareness Month (DVAM)
DVAM evolved from the Day of Unity, first celebrated in October of 1981. The Day of Unity was established to connect advocates of survivors across the nation. By October of 1987, the awareness initiative had spread throughout the month and the U.S. began to observe October as a National Awareness month for Domestic Violence/Relationship Abuse. A purple ribbon is worn by supporters of the cause throughout October to help raise awareness. UNH honors DVAM every October with a Take Back The Night event as well as a month full of events.
January – National Stalking Awareness Month (NSAM)
In January 2004, the National Center for Victims of Crime launched National Stalking Awareness Month (NSAM) to increase the public’s understanding of the crime of stalking and help develop and implement multidisciplinary responses to the crime. UNH honors NSAM each January.
April – Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM)
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 around sexual violence. Teal ribbons are worn by many to raise awareness in support of the cause. UNH honors SAAM every April with an anti-violence rally & walk as well as a month full of events.
Direct Action for Incarcerated Survivors
In 2020, SHARPP launched a direct action letter writing and policy advocacy series that is based out of a harm reduction model. The series brings increased awareness and community action to incarcerated survivors and the unique barriers they face. Survivors of interpersonal violence, especially BIPOC survivors, are often criminalized by our justice system for defending themselves against abuse & assault. Letter writing is a form of harm reduction for these survivors, and receiving a letter of support can serve as a lifeline for some who are incarcerated. Visit our direct action campaign landing page and our highlighted cases page to learn more about incarcerated survivors, ways you can help, and strategies on writing letters.
The Clothesline Project
The Clothesline Project is a national awareness initiative that was started by a group of women in the 1990s who wanted to give survivors and their friends and family members a voice about their abuse. UNH offers a Traveling Clothesline display of t-shirts made at UNH by members of our community. This is also shared virtually via our social media pages.
1BLUESTRING
1BlueString is a campaign that asks guitarists to replace 1 of their 6 strings with a blue string to symbolize the 1 in 6 men who have survived childhood sexual abuse. Throughout the academic year SHARPP partners with various student organizations around open mic nights, performance events, and more to bring further attention to this issue!
