April is National Sexual Assault Awareness Month

April is National Sexual Assault Awareness Month and all New Yorkers are encouraged to participate through awareness and advocacy. Sexual violence continues to threaten New Yorkers’ physical and emotional wellbeing, and can be very difficult to move on from, and information readily available can make the difference between discouragement and empowerment, and change feelings of oppression into strength.

In the late 1990s, many advocates began coordinating activities throughout the month of April on a regular basis, promoting an idea for a nationally recognized month for sexual violence awareness activities. From 2000-2001, the Resource Sharing Project (RSP) and the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) found that the color teal was the preferred color for sexual assault awareness and prevention and that April was the preferred month to coordinate national sexual assault awareness activities. As a result, Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) was nationally observed starting in April 2001.

The 2014 National Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) campaign focuses on healthy adolescent sexuality and its connection to sexual abuse prevention. This April, join the conversation. Become an adult ally, and start talking about healthy attitudes and development to prevent sexual abuse and assault.

Sexual Assault is a intolerable reality requiring a cohesive voice in order to see real change in the future. I’m proud to stand up with my district and my conference to recognize the continuing need for sexual violence advocacy, and make it heard in a stronger, louder, voice in order to promote hope in the future. 

While April is recognized as Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the National Sexual Violence Resource Center website is a year-round resource which is proud to support public and prevention education efforts to the general public.