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Drawing Connections: Prevention Demands Equity #SAAM2023
background is textured light seafoam color, with the profile of a face on the left filled with many different colored leafs and symbols. The writing says "Sexual assault awareness month 2023: Drawing Connections prevent demands equity #saam2023

Every April, Sexual Assault Awareness Month calls attention to the fact that sexual harassment, assault, and abuse are widespread and impact every person in the community. SAAM aims to raise public awareness about sexual violence and educate communities on how to prevent it. 

A Survivor’s Guide to Understanding Therapeutic Healing Pathways
Winding road in the forest

Given that our SAAM 2023 theme is all about drawing connections, it’s vital to reflect on one of the most important connections we can make-the one with ourselves. The path to healing is a complex journey. Therapeutic outlets are one of the most common ways survivors of trauma express, process, and find closure in their lives. Although therapy and counseling are becoming increasingly common, the sheer number of options available can be overwhelming-especially when one is at the start of their healing journey.

What are the connections between Transphobia, Racism and Sexual Violence?
Making Connections Transphobia, Racism, and Sexual Violence

What is Transphobia?

Transphobia “is the hatred of transgender people… typically accompanied by the belief that trans people don’t deserve respect or rights.” It can encompass fear or hatred towards transgender people, or the belief or idea that transgender people aren’t real or are somehow not valid in their own identity. Transphobia is deeply institutionalized and causes direct harm and loss of life for transgender people.  

What is the connection between Language Access, Sexual Violence, and Racism?
Making connections: Language access, sexual violence, and racism

What is Language Access?

What is the connection between Media, Sexual Violence, and Systems of Oppression?
Making Connections, Media, Sexual Violence, and Systems of Oppression

How powerful is the media in creating social norms?

What is the connection between Housing Inequality, Sexual Violence, and White Supremacy?
Making Connections, Housing Inequality, Sexual Violence, and White Supremacy

What is the state of housing inequality in the United States?

What is the Connection Between Mass Violence, Racism, and Sexual Violence?
Making Connections, Mass Violence, Racism, and Sexual Violence

How are acts of mass violence connected to white supremacy?

What is the connection between Sexual Violence, Racial Injustice, and All Forms of Abuse?
Image shows a blue watercolor blotch background with the words "Making connections, Sexual Violence, racial injustice, and all forms of abuse"

This Q&A page is meant for white audiences struggling to understand how issues of racism and sexual violence are connected, and why preventing sexual violence requires ending white supremacy culture. It also explains white people’s role in making these changes.

 

How is the sexual violence movement tied together with the movement to end racial injustice?

At its heart, doing the work of sexual violence prevention is:

Social Justice Booklist for Children, Teens, and Young Adults
Image is a side angle of a row of books on the shelfin a school library

Social justice means equal rights and equitable opportunities for all. True social change relies on actions and efforts at multiple levels, and it can begin with introducing youth to social justice books to help them better understand different cultures, people, and situations.

El tema central del Mes de concientización sobre la agresión sexual 2023
el fondo es de color espuma de mar claro texturizado, con el perfil de una cara a la izquierda llena de muchas hojas y símbolos de diferentes colores. El escrito dice "Mes de concientización sobre agresiones sexuales 2023: establecer conexiones para prevenir demandas de equidad # saam2023

El mes de concientización sobre la agresión sexual (SAAM, por sus siglas en inglés) resalta el hecho de que la violencia sexual es un asunto generalizado y afecta a todas las personas en la comunidad. El SAAM busca concientizar a la población acerca de la violencia sexual e informar a las comunidades sobre cómo prevenirla.