April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The purpose of SAAM is to raise awareness about sexual violence and educate communities on how to prevent it. This year's theme is "Embrace Your Voice." Words matter. Individuals can use their words to promote safety, respect, and equality and to stop sexual violence before it happens.
Sexual assault is a serious and widespread problem. 1 in 5 women in the U.S. have experienced rape or attempted rape at some point in their lives, and 1 in 67 American men have experienced rape or attempted rape. The good news is that prevention is possible, but we need your help.
The National Day of Action will be held on Tuesday, April 3, 2018. On this day, we're calling on everyone to take action to end sexual violence. Through coordinated planning of events, advocates across the country can raise awareness and garner media attention around sexual violence prevention. To learn more about SAAM and ways to get involved on the Day of Action, visit the National Sexual Violence Resource Center.
Locally, Vera House is proud to host the Clothesline Project April 9 – 15 at Destiny USA in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. More than 300 shirts will be on display, each bearing an individual message that conveys the impact of sexual violence.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram throughout the month of April for more information and updates on Sexual Assault Awareness Month activities.
A Message to Andrew Cuomo
“The Friends of Andrew Cuomo” spent over $300,000 to launch an ad campaign designed to paint former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo as a victim of political attacks because of the sexual harassment claims against him. We cannot allow this gaslighting to continue while the ad revictimizes victims of not only Cuomo’s sexual harassment but ANYONE who has ever experienced abuse. The tactics used by Cuomo and his supporters further represent the barriers that survivors face every day that prevent them from coming forward and getting support.
We at Vera House have asked Andrew Cuomo to take accountability for the harm he has caused on multiple occasions. Instead of admitting to his wrongdoings, he continues to use power and control to suppress and invalidate the truths of the survivors. Today we released a video, produced by Solon Quinn Studios and supported by Survivors’ Network, that sends a powerful message to survivors, "I believe you."
We are asking you to help us amplify the video so that survivors throughout New York and the rest of the world know that we believe and stand with them.
Here’s how to get involved:
1. Share our post on Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter
2. Engage with our content on Instagram and TikTok
3. Share survivor support resources from your organization
4. Tag @verahouseinc
For any questions or to request an interview with a member of Survivors' Network, please contact us at: communications@verahouse.org
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