Now that April has almost passed it's a good time to take a look at the purpose of having Sexual Assault Awareness Month. All across the country there are vigils, survivor celebrations, and awareness events that take place every year in April. Survivors share their stories to tearful audiences at the same time crowds are charged up and ready to "take back the night." As someone who has worked in this field for years now, it's a time of recharging. For a full thirty consecutive days I get to see all the people who have taken the time out of their normal routine and recognize that something needs to be done.
But it doesn't need to end after 30 days. Sexual Assault Awareness Month isn't only about recognizing survivors and showing them there is a world of support for them. It's also about reminding us that every day we can do something to stop sexual violence. Maybe you heard a story of a victim that shocked you to your core and made you want to take a stand; maybe you caught an awareness message that shed some light on something you had never thought about before; maybe you always wanted to do something but felt you were too alone until you saw all the others out there who want to stop sexual assault just as much as you. Whatever it was, use it to move forward for the rest of the 335 days of the year.
- Share your experience that made you get involved with the others in your life.
- If someone says they're being "raped" by high prices, ask them if it really compares to being raped.
- Look at music, movies, TV, and other media for the messages they send and think about if it's something you want to support.
- Look into volunteering as a victim advocate.
- If someone is doing something that might be taken as sexual harassment, talk to them about how others might be offended and how that behavior reflects on them.
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