Apr 10, 2025 2 min read

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). This year’s campaign theme is “Together We Act, United We Change,” and focuses on ways that individuals, workplaces, school campuses, and communities can help to prevent sexual assault, harassment, and abuse. Nearly 1 in five women and 1 in 71 men are victims of sexual assault (Black et al.,2011), but all of us are impacted by sexual violence.

Everyone understands that sexual violence impacts a victim and their loved ones, but the effects of this violent crime on communities and society are less obvious. Sexual violence creates a climate of fear, anger, and or disbelief in the environments in which it occurs. Additionally, sexual violence generates criminal justice, medical, mental health services expenses. Perhaps most damaging are the lost contributions of survivors who can be overwhelmed by fear, shame, and grief.

Preventing such a far-reaching and prevalent social issue is challenging, but we can achieve progress. There are many practical steps that are happening in our homes, neighborhoods, faith communities, and more, but we have crucial work to do to promote safety, respect, and accountability.

Prevention starts with challenging victim blaming and believing survivors when they disclose. Individuals can model supportive relationships and behaviors, call out harmful attitudes, and confront the societal acceptance of aggressive behaviors. Institutions can take action to implement policies that promote safety, respect, and equality.

As this year’s theme declares, if we work together, we can enact positive change! Join us in helping everyone see their role in preventing sexual violence. You can learn more at: www.nsvrc.org. If you would like to learn more about available services in Washington and Greene Counties, visit the STTARS website at www.sttars.sphs.org/.

Joanna Dragan

Supervisor of Sexual Violence Services

SPHS CARE Center STTARS Program