April 24, 2024: Reflecting on Sexual Assault Awareness Month

In 2001, April was designated as Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) building on a legacy of advocacy and activism dating back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These foundational efforts were led by the work of Black feminists like Ida B. Wells, who not only combated racialized violence but also the intersecting oppressions of sexual assault (Greensite, 2009; McGuire, 2010). By the 1970s, spurred by activists who organized activities in support of survivors, collective consciousness about the prevalence of sexual violence rose to a national level (National Sexual Violence Resource Center [NSVRC],n.d.). This advocacy ultimately led to the establishment of SAAM as it is known today—a movement promoting sexual assault awareness and prevention and urging individuals and institutions alike to protest sexual violence in all its forms.

Within our college community, SAAM holds importance as it aligns with our commitment to student success. Recognizing that sexual violence poses a significant obstacle to education by addressing this issue directly is crucial. According to statistics from RAINN, 26.4% of female and 6.8% of male undergraduate students have experienced sexual assault. Factors like the “Red Zone,” a period between mid-August and November marked by heightened activities and increased risk of assault along with the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health, increase risks for our students (Miodus et al., 2023).

Sexual assault disproportionately impacts marginalized communities, including the LGBTQ+ community, individuals with disabilities, and first-generation students, who often encounter more risks and obstacles in seeking redress for sexual violence (Miodus et al., 2023). Startling statistics amongst these groups emphasize the importance of carefully considering policies, programs, and strategies that are inclusive of the needs of the most vulnerable. Research by scholars like Chris Linder shed light on how societal structures and cultural norms play a role in perpetuating these disparities within higher education, advocating for intersectional approaches that address the combined effects of various forms of discrimination.

During SAAM our focus sharpens on raising awareness and support for all survivors of sexual violence and this year sexual assault prevention is especially emphasized as Whitman College joined 15 higher education institutions from across North America in the eighth cohort of NASPA’s Culture of Respect Collective program. The Collective is a two-year program that guides cohort institutions through a rigorous process of self-assessment and targeted organizational change. A group of representatives from all over campus have already begun the work of adapting the Collective’s model for a survivor-centered, inclusive approach to preventing and addressing sexual violence on our campus. 

This week, April 21–26, under the guidance of our Sexual Violence Prevention Office, the Sexual Violence Prevention (SVP) student organization is hosting the much-anticipated Sex Week. SVP has organized to advocate for the advancement of sexual assault awareness through a series of events, discussions, and sessions centered around consent, sexual wellness, and aiding survivors. Sex Week plays a role in our endeavors to nurture a college atmosphere that values and preserves the dignity of every person which is perfectly in line with the purpose of SAAM.

In support of these conversations, the Office of Equity & Compliance has partnered with SVP to offer special merchandise for Sex Week. To receive a complimentary tote bag or sticker, students who have completed the HEDS Sexual Assault Campus Climate Survey can simply attend any Sex Week event and present a screenshot of their survey completion page. These tokens of our commitment to this cause are available while supplies last. To take part in the survey and contribute to this important initiative, please follow the provided link.

As we recognize Sexual Assault Awareness Month we are reminded of the intentional effort required to address sexual violence. SAAM serves as a call to action urging us to stand up for those who have been impacted and take steps to prevent future incidents. By delving into the reach of this issue and its effects on marginalized people we can offer a comprehensive prevention and response approach that fosters a culture of respect. Let us move forward, with courage and empathy knowing that each stride we take brings us closer to a campus community and society where sexual violence is non-existent.

Works Cited:

“Campus Sexual Violence: Statistics.” RAINN, https://www.rainn.org/statistics/campus-sexual-violence. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

Greensite, G. “History of the Rape Crisis Movement.” Valor, 1 Nov. 2009, https://www.valor.us/2009/11/01/history-of-the-rape-crisis-movement/.

“History of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.” National Sexual Violence Resource Center, https://www.nsvrc.org/saam/history. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

McGuire, Danielle L. “At the Dark End of the Street: Black Women, Rape, and Resistance- a new history of the Civil Rights Movement from Rosa Parks to the Rise of Black Power.” New York, NY, Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, 2011. 

Miodus, Stephanie, et al. “Campus Sexual Assault Fact Sheet from an Intersectional Lens.” American Psychological Association, June 2023, www.apa.org/apags/resources/campus-sexual-assault-fact-sheet. Accessed 19 Apr.  2024.