2008 SAAM Campaign > Community Activities

People are often bound to communities by values, language and culture. Involvement and support from the whole community is critical to creating environments free from sexual violence. Networking and collaboration are key tools to developing community mobilization efforts. Community mobilization allows people to identify needs and promote community interests, discover available resources, and enable positive transformation. Community level strategies can address norms about healthy relationships and underlying conditions that perpetuate sexual violence. Provided below is a spectrum of examples that engage communities that span from stand alone events to those that could be included as part of an on-going campaign. The scale of each event may be adjusted to fit your community priorities.

The NSVRC encourages all agencies, programs, and coalitions to plan SAAM activities and events throughout the month of April, and if possible, throughout the year. We encourage collaboration with your state, territory, or tribal sexual assault coalition in organizing events. We also recommend partnering with local media outlets to cover or promote your activities, as well as submitting your events to the NSVRC so that we can assist in promotion.

Shop to End Sexual Violence (2008 Featured Event)

This event can be integrated into any community, small or large, with strategic marketing and community relations. Advocates can get started with a template letter found here. This is a great way to integrate the 2008 SAAM campaign by encouraging business owners to raise awareness concerning sexual violence.

Print, Radio and Television Ads

The media is a powerful force in our communities. Promote community activities by posting event announcements on your local public access television station. Also consider contacting your local radio station— including college radio stations—to ask for free or reduced cost creation and/or airing of public service announcements. Another option is to secure time on a public affairs show to discuss community values about non-violence and respect. Submit a series of letters to the editor regarding the diverse individuals in your community working to prevent sexual violence. On the SAAM Day of Action, release a report on the prevention work occurring in your community and organize a press conference to highlight your successes. Building community support through media outlets does not need to be expensive to create momentum.

Open House or Luncheon with Business Owners

Invite local business owners and other prominent professionals within the community to a luncheon or open house to bring awareness to the issue of sexual violence in the workplace. This can be a great opportunity to forge new alliances within the community and educate others about this specific topic. Consider creating a brief presentation concerning your organization or agency and how business owners and other professionals can assist in the prevention of sexual violence within your community. Suggesions might include monetary donations, volunteering time or services, and encouraging employees to become educated about sexual violence.

Employee Meeting Presentation

The majority of workplaces hold regularly-scheduled employee meetings, a great way to educate a small audience about sexual violence in a relatively short amount of time. Consider requesting a 10-15 minute timeslot at the next staff meeting for your company or that of a friend or relative to discuss the impact of sexual violence in the workplace. Provide handouts with statistics on sexual harassment and sexual violence in the workplace and a list of local resources.

Movie Screenings

Several movies could be used to integrate the SAAM campaign (list of suggested films coming soon). Movie screenings can be educational through the use of discussion guides or impromptu dialogues before or after the movie. Inquire with local theatres about showing specific movies during April with a portion of proceeds donated to local sexual violence centers as another way of raising awareness.

 

An extensive list of suggested SAAM activities and events is coming soon! Please check back for more ideas!