Each April, survivors, activists, and allies observe Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). A national campaign helmed by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, SAAM began officially in 2001 after decades of organizing and received presidential recognition from President Barack Obama in 2009. This year, the month’s theme will be “Building Safe Online Spaces Together,” highlighting the importance of consent, inclusion, and intervention in the digital world. Want to join the movement? Here are ways to observe Sexual Assault Awareness Month here in Chicago and anywhere online:
#30DaysOfSAAM Social Media Challenge
April 2022
Still looking for strictly-virtual involvement? Get on board with NSVRC’s #30DaysOfSAAM Challenge! Each day in April, the organization will offer a different theme to guide users’ Instagram posts. From “Self-Care Snack Exchange” to “Shine a Light on Local Support,” these challenges help spread awareness and fortify a sense of collective activism. Find graphics over on their website!
SAAM History Webinar
Friday, 4/1/22 @ 8 PM CST
Kick-off SAAM by joining NSVRC’s virtual community for a history of the big event!
It’s On Us: Sexual Assault Awareness and Consent Training
Monday, 4/4/22 @ 1 PM CST
SAAM Self-Care Session
Tuesday, 4/5/22 @ 8 PM CST
SAAM can be a difficult month for survivors. If you’re in need of quiet, community, and support, check out this guided mediation and discussion group from the NSVRC.
Day of Action
Tuesday, 4/5/22
The first Tuesday of every April is the SAAM Day of Action. In 2022, we’ll mark it on April 5. Join in by wearing teal, the official color of sexual assault prevention. Take a selfie, post online with this year’s hashtag (coming soon!), and show your community that you support survivors and offer a safe audience for those who want to share their stories.
It’s On Us: Rideshare Safety Training
Tuesday, 4/5/22 @ 1 PM CST
Start by Believing Day
Wednesday, 4/6/22
Helmed by End Violence Against Women International, the “Start by Believing” campaign highlights the most important thing allies can do: Believe survivors. Responses to sexual harm need to embrace their accounts as the truth — Use this day to encourage your community to respect and listen to survivors.
It’s On Us: Bystander Intervention Training
Wednesday, 4/6/22 @ 1 PM CST
Healing Arts Reception: In Observation of Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Wednesday, 4/6/22 @ 6:30 PM CST
To observe SAAM, Alderman Matt Martin will co-host a Healing Arts Reception with Awakenings, a Ravenswood nonprofit “dedicated to creating a physical and virtual artistic space in which to engage in an open dialogue that furthers awareness and understanding of sexual violence.” Guided by docents, this new exhibition will highlight Awakenings’ permanent collection of survivor artwork. To attend this in-person event, check out the Eventbrite page.
It’s On Us: Survivor Support Training
Thursday, 4/7/22 @ 1 PM CST
It’s On Us: Intimate Partner Violence Prevention Training
Friday, 4/8/22 @ 1 PM CST
How to Support a Survivor Workshop
Tuesday, 4/13/22 @ 4:30 PM CST
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago will host a virtual workshop with Elizabeth Meyer of Greenlight Counseling Services. A trauma-informed event, the conversation with Meyer will offer information and guidance to allies while answering difficult questions about best practices. To log in, follow the Zoom link on the School’s website.
Uprooting Power: Cultivating Liberation and a World Without Sexual Violence
Thursday, 4/21/22, through Friday, 4/22/22, from 9 AM to 5 PM CST
This Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Resilience is hosting its first-ever conference “that seeks to explore how we can shift the paradigm around the anti-violence movement.” Uprooting Power will bring together speakers and multimedia presentations to address questions about the current culture of activism and the future of liberation. Hosted online, the event has various levels of ticket pricing and is open to the community. Register here!
Holding Restorative Space for Ourselves Workshop
Thursday, 4/22/22 @ 4:30 PM CST
In another event from SAIC, the art therapy team from Resilience will host an experiential workshop that uses creativity to unpack the physical and mental outcomes of trauma. Bring any art-marking materials you’d like and get ready for therapeutic exploration. Click here to join on Zoom!
Self-Reclaimed “Trust the Journey” Workshop Series
Thursday, 4/22/22 @ 6 PM CST
Join Self-Reclaimed, a nonprofit that aims to “provide relatable services to support a survivor’s healing journey to reclaim their life,” for its semi-annual wellness and education workshop series, “Journey.” The evening will include two different workshops: “Standing for Survivors,” a webinar discussion about bystander intervention, and “Trust Your Body,” a virtual and in-person yoga and sound healing session. More info here.
Denim Day
Wednesday, 4/27
On April 27, wear denim to fight misconceptions about sexual harm. Denim Day kicked off in Italy when the Italian Supreme Court overturned a rape conviction because the survivor was wearing tight jeans, “thereby implying consent.” The next day, the women of the Italian Parliament showed up in jeans, demonstrating solidarity with the survivor. Now an international movement, you can join the fight against victim-blaming!
Take Back the Night Global Virtual Event
Thursday, 4/28/22 @ 7 PM CST
An international gathering of speakers and activists, this online event will highlight issues of sexual harm and resilience from around the world.
Host Your Own Event!
Want to host something specific to your community? Here’s NSVRC’s handy guide to organizing your own SAAM event!
CAASE published this piece on March 8, 2022. It was authored by KT Hawbaker and edited by Hayley Forrestal. It will be updated as more event information becomes available. Learn more about our staff here.
