Stanford recognizes April as National Sexual Assault Awareness Month

In recognition of National Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) in April, Stanford’s SHARE Title IX Office has worked with students and advocates to develop a series of events and a variety of educational resources for the Stanford community.

The purpose of the national SAAM campaign is to raise public awareness about sexual violence and work to prioritize prevention through education and collective action.

This year’s theme for SAAM at Stanford is “Honor surviving. Embrace thriving.” “During SAAM at Stanford, we wish to honor the strength and agency of survivors as they navigate their healing process and regain their sense of control,” said Grace Poon Ghaffari, student services officer for education and prevention. “We believe that survivors deserve to thrive and embrace themselves as vibrant and joyful humans connected to themselves and others.”

To frame issues of violence through the lens of intersectionality, this year Asian American activists within the disability community will be engaged in conversations regarding sexual assault. Sexual violence against disabled and Asian American communities is often ignored in mainstream media, even though such violence occurs at high rates. Several disability advocates in the Asian American community will be profiled in the April SHARE newsletter.

Stanford events in support of SAAM

SAAM at Stanford kicks off on April 5 with the Day of Action, when participants can show their support and increase awareness in a variety of ways, such as wearing teal – the color of sexual assault awareness and prevention – and by using custom email templates and Zoom backgrounds during the month of April.

Events throughout the month include:

Day of Action, April 5, 10 a.m.-noon; table in White Plaza & Instagram
Yoga as Healing, April 15, noon-1:15 p.m.; registration required
Take Back the Night rally, April 19, 7-10 p.m.; White Plaza and Meyer Green
Writing as Healing, April 28, noon-1 p.m.; registration required
Denim Day, April 27, 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; White Plaza

More information on the events, including how to register, can be found on the SAAM website. More events will be added throughout the month.

In addition, the SHARE Education team has put together an action guide that outlines ways to participate, along with resources for learning more about the issue of sexual violence.

History of the SAAM campaign

The SAAM campaign was launched in 2001 by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center. NSVRC’s mission is to provide research and tools to advocates working on the frontlines to end sexual harassment, assault and abuse, with the understanding that ending sexual violence will also require ending racism, sexism and all forms of oppression. In 2009, under the Obama administration, April was recognized as National Sexual Assault Awareness Month. This year’s national theme is Building Safe Online Spaces Together.

For more information about SAAM 2022 at Stanford, visit the website.