Love shouldn’t hurt

Love Shouldn't Hurt - Ever

Wednesday, 16 April 2025 08:16

Raising Awareness, Supporting Survivors, and Preventing Violence
by Teresia Smith

Every April, Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) serves as a vital time to raise awareness about sexual violence, support survivors, and promote prevention efforts. As we recognize SAAM in 2025, the need for education, advocacy, and change remains as urgent as ever. This year’s theme, ““Together We Act, United We Change,”, highlights the importance of empowering individuals, educating communities, and taking action to prevent sexual violence.
Sexual assault is any form of unwanted sexual contact or behavior that occurs without consent. It can include rape, molestation, sexual harassment, and other forms of sexual violence. According to statistics from organizations like the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), one in six women and one in 33 men experience an attempted or completed rape in their lifetime. With those statistics, everyone knows someone who has been impacted. The effect of sexual assault extends beyond physical harm, often leading to long-term emotional, psychological, and social challenges for survivors. Awareness and education are crucial in attempting to prevent sexual assault and helping victims heal.
How can you help? There are many ways individuals can participate in SAAM 2025:

Wear Teal:

Teal is the official color of sexual assault awareness. Wearing teal throughout April is a simple yet powerful way to show support for survivors.
Participate in Awareness Events:
Throughout the year, we often host events, webinars, discussions, and art exhibits to raise awareness about sexual violence. We also host this newspaper column weekly in The Clarion that you can share with others to spread awareness.

Use Social Media:

Sharing information, survivor stories, and educational content using hashtags like #SAAM2025 and #EndSexualViolence helps spread awareness.
Support Survivors:
Listen to and believe survivors, provide resources, and advocate for trauma-informed policies in workplaces and communities. Know your local resources. Volunteer opportunities are also available to help get information across our county.
Legislative efforts play a significant role in combating sexual violence. Advocates continue to push for stronger laws regarding consent, workplace harassment protections, and support services for survivors. We are facing budget cuts in the grants that support our work so fundraising and donations are crucial for us to continue offering our services free of charge.

Sexual Assault Awareness Month 2025 is a call to action for everyone to contribute to a world free of sexual violence. Whether through education, advocacy, or direct support for survivors, every effort helps create a safer and more just society. By empowering individuals, educating communities, and actively working toward prevention, we can collectively make a difference in ending sexual assault.
If you or a loved one has experienced the trauma of sexual assault or intimate partner violence, Crisis Services of North Alabama offers free and confidential services. You can reach our Jackson County office at 256.574.5826 for an appointment with a trained advocate. We also provide a 24/7 HELPline staffed with trained crisis counselors at 256.716.1000. Please reach out. You are not alone.