Across the United States, April is recognized as Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), a campaign that seeks to increase awareness about sexual assault and challenge the stigma surrounding it. The campaign also aims to educate communities and individuals on preventing sexual violence. The National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) develops a theme and provides resources and materials for each campaign, collaborating with organizations across the United States.  

In the 1970s, education on sexual violence gained momentum across the US. During this period, Bay Area Women Against Rape opened as the nation’s first rape crisis center, and in 1975, state coalitions began to form, starting with the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape. That year, Take Back the Night marches started to protest violence and the fears women faced while walking at night.  

Through the years, these events grew into a widespread movement across the US and Europe, with broader activities aimed at raising awareness about sexual violence. During the 1980s, April was voted as the preferred month for Sexual Assault Awareness Week. By the 1990s, events were coordinated throughout April and in 2001, SAAM was officially observed nationwide.  

The NSVRC was created in 2000 by the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and in 2001 the first campaign was launched. In 2005, the organization shifted the focus to prevention, and the first tool kits were distributed to coalitions and rape crisis centers nationwide. In 2009, Barack Obama became the first president to officially recognize April as SAAM.  

Today, the campaign uses the teal ribbon as a symbol of sexual assault awareness and prevention. Many events and activities take place, including the Day of Action, The Clothesline Project, Take Back the Night, Walk a Mile in Her Shoes and Denim Day.   

This year’s theme is 25 Years Stronger: Looking Back, Moving Forward. According to the NSVRC, this campaign “honors the history and growth of the movement” while reaffirming a “commitment to a safer future for all.” It intends to “remember the survivors and advocates who laid the foundation for change” and renew the focus on “prevention, healing, and action.”  

For more information about the NSVRC, resources and this year’s campaign, visit NSVRC.org. For prevention resources, facts, support and more, go to rainn.org. For free, confidential, 24/7 support, call the sexual assault hotline at 800-656-HOPE, text HOPE to 64673 or chat online at rainn.org.