Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM)
Sexual Assault Awareness Month occurs every April! See below for more information about SAAM, our upcoming events, and more!
What is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM)?
Sexual Assault Awareness Month takes place every April, and is a time to reflect on and increase awareness and prevention efforts of sexual assault, violence, harassment, and abuse. During this month every year, colleges, universities, sexual and domestic violence agencies, local nonprofits and national organizations, and more host events to shine a long overdue light on these issues and discuss why it is important to talk about them. During SAAM, SAVE of Essex County proudly participates in and hosts events across Essex County to share information about statistics, prevention strategies, and our community services. Some important dates during SAAM include the official SAAM Day of Action on Tuesday, April 2, and Denim Day on Thursday, April 25. Be sure to check out our social media pages for more information about these days and other SAAM-related news and activities, and check out our Calendar of Events below!
Sexual Violence Statistics
Over 53% of women and over 29% of men reported experiencing contact sexual violence in their lifetime (Chen, et al., 2023).
Most women and men across all sexual identities who experienced contact sexual violence reported that the person who harmed them was someone they knew (Chen, et al., 2023).
More than 1 and 4 non-Hispanic Black women (29%) in the United States were raped in their lifetime (Basile et al., 2022).
1 in 3 Hispanic women (34.8%) reported unwanted sexual contact in their lifetime (Basile et al., 2022).
More than 4 in 5 American Indian and Alaska Native women (84.3%) have experienced violence in their lifetime (Rosay, 2016).
32.9% of adults with intellectual disabilities have experienced sexual violence (Tomsa et al., 2021).
47% of all transgender people have been sexually assaulted at some point in their lives (James et al. 2016).
Statistics compiled by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center.
What is Denim Day?
Denim Day falls on the last Wednesday of every April and refers to a campaign in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The campaign began after a ruling by the Italian Supreme Court, in which a guilty rape conviction was overturned because the justices felt that since the victim was wearing tight jeans, she must have helped the person who assaulted her remove them, thereby implying her consent. The following day, the women in the Italian Parliament came to work wearing jeans in solidarity with the victim. We honor and support Denim Day each April as a sign of our solidarity with victims across the globe, and to help dispel the harmful and outdated myths that keep victims and survivors powerless and shamed. This year, we will be celebrating Denim Day at various community events throughout April, so be sure to check our calendar of events to learn more and join us! Don’t forget to wear your denim on April 25, 2024 to show your support for Denim Day and sexual assault survivors everywhere, and sign the pledge on the Denim Day website to show your commitment to the cause!
Show your support for sexual violence victims and survivors this April by joining us at our community events! Check out our calendar of events here.
Are you interested in having our staff join you/your organization for an event or workshop? Fill out our Outreach Request form here to get in touch with our team!
What can you do leading up to, during, and after Sexual Assault Awareness Month?
Check out events and volunteer opportunities near you.
Share resources with your community members in person or on social media to raise awareness.
Listen and believe survivors.
Learn more about becoming a Confidential Sexual Violence Advocate in your community.
If you are able, consider making a donation to our program so we can continue to provide free, confidential services to the victims and survivors here in Essex County.