Recognizing Sexual Assault Awareness Month

April is drawing to a close and I can't believe I'm just addressing SAAM, however while reading various articles (I'll put some links at the bottom of the post) I knew I had to shed some light on the subject here at Project Nefertiti. April 2001 was the first nationally recognized Sexual Assault Awareness Month. However, organized movement began in England about 30 years ago...

In the late '70's, there was an increasing amount of sexually actuated violence against women walking the streets at night. These acts, along with the emerging Women's Liberation movement (which began in the US in the late '60's), led to Take Back the Night (1), a womens only protest against sexual violence. Over time, the movement has stretched to include violence against men, and men's participation in ending sexual violence.

1 in 6 women and 1 in 33 men will be sexually assaulted in their lifetimes. Every 2 minutes, someone in the US is sexually assaulted. 60% of assaults are not reported. (2)

So what can we do? I found a few tips online to share:

Protect ourselves: If you are walking alone, even in day light, make sure your surroundings and do not become isolated.

Protect our children: It's a sickening fact that 15% of sexual assault/rape victims are children under the age of 12. (3) But there are some things you can do to help prevent this. Talk to your children, and make sure they know from a young age to speak up if they feel uncomfortable about the way an adult is acting towards them. Teach them to say NO! Above that, be involved in your child's life. What adult is going to try something funny with you standing there giving them the side-eye?

Speak up: If you are assaulted, it's going to be hard to talk about. However, by speaking up you can prevent someone from going through the same thing you did. I was assaulted when I was 5 years old by some boys in my neighborhood and again by a baby-sitters son when I was 9. Before I typed that sentence, no one but God and I knew about it. Now, I don't know if any of them went on to assault someone else but if I ever found out one of them did, I would feel SO guilty. Remember, 60% of assaults are not reported. (2)

Be there: If you have a loved one that is dealing with the effects of a sexual assault, it is most important that you be there to listen, empower, and encourage. Also, don't be afraid to talk to someone yourself for moral support. This is going to be tough to deal with for everyone involved, so you'll want to make sure you're able support in any way possible.

Here are some links for you to check out...be safe y'all!

http://takebackthenight.org/
http://rainn.org/
http://bit.ly/9xgPdj
http://wasaam.org/
http://www.nsvrc.org/saam
http://www.justyellfire.com/






Sources:

(1) http://takebackthenight.org/
(2) http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/pubs-sums/172837.htm
(3) http://www.icpsr.umich.edu/cocoon/NACJD/STUDY/22900.xml