Every April, communities worldwide unite behind teal ribbons and powerful conversations as part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). This month serves as a reminder of how far we've come in addressing sexual violence and an acknowledgment of how much work remains.
Sexual assault affects millions of people regardless of age, gender, or background. SAAM works to transform awareness into prevention through education, community action, and policy change.
This article explores the history of SAAM, from its roots in the 19th century civil rights movement to its modern evolution. Discover key statistics and learn practical ways you can contribute to SAAM, creating safer communities for all.
History of Sexual Assault Awareness Month
SAAM was officially established in 2001, however its foundations come from centuries of grassroots activism. We can trace key developments back to the 19th century United States, when women of color pioneered civil rights advocacy.
The foundation: Early activists paving the way
Women of color laid the groundwork for sexual assault awareness and prevention through their civil rights work. Some of these women changemakers include:
Sojourner Truth: As a former slave, Truth famously spoke out at the Women’s Convention in Ohio in 1851, challenging ideas of racial and gender inequalities.
Ida B. Wells-Barnett: Writing articles that exposed injustices and lynches, Wells-Barnett founded the first black women suffrage organization.
Mary Church Terrell: As president of the National Association of Colored Women (NACW), Terrell fought tirelessly for voting rights, social reform, and an end to discrimination.
Mary McLeod Bethune: Bethune advised President Franklin D. Roosevelt, founded Bethune-Cookman College, and led coalitions against segregation and discrimination.
Additionally, organizations like the National Association of the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), founded in 1909, joined these individual activists to fight for both racial equality and women’s rights during this time.
The Civil Rights Era
The mid-20th century Civil Rights Movement created momentum for broader social change. Though open discussions about sexual violence were still uncommon, the culture of challenging injustice began shifting societal attitudes.
Black women continued leading this evolution, including:
Rosa Parks: Refusing to give up her bus seat, Parks’ act of defiance sparked the modern Civil Rights movement.
Amelia Boynton Robinson: In 1965, Boynton helped lead the historic "Bloody Sunday" march alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., during which she was brutally beaten.
Boynton’s bravery drew national attention and contributed to President Lyndon B. Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act on August 6, 1965. Boynton attended this landmark signing ceremony, which granted women the right to vote in the U.S.
Sexual violence activism in the 1970s
The 1970s marked a turning point as activism specifically addressing sexual violence gained momentum. San Francisco emerged as an important city, with the founding of the first rape crisis center in 1971, followed by the first Take Back the Night event in 1978.
Other significant developments during this decade include the 1977 National Women’s Conference, which brought discussions about sexual violence to the national stage. Additionally, states began passing rape shield laws to protect survivors during court proceedings, and publications addressing sexual violence became more common.
From grassroots to national recognition
Moving forward, advocates increasingly pushed for legislation change and funding to support survivors. In 1993, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) was passed, demonstrating the need for dedicated national events focused on sexual violence prevention. Throughout the 1990s, various organizations held prevention weeks, marches, and observances.
The establishment of the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) in 2000 brought coordination to these grassroot efforts. After consulting with groups nationwide about preferred dates and developing unified marketing materials, SAAM was officially launched in April 2001, with the teal ribbon as its national symbol.
The Evolution and Importance of Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Since its official establishment, SAAM has evolved from awareness-raising to emphasizing prevention, survivor support, and systemic change. Each year brings new themes addressing different aspects of sexual violence, from campus safety to workplace harassment to supporting survivors from marginalized communities.
NSVRC coordinates these annual campaigns, providing comprehensive resources including graphics, social media toolkits, educational materials, and community engagement guides. While awareness and prevention remain the two core pillars of SAAM, each year's theme delves into specific aspects of the broader mission.
The power of awareness
At its heart, SAAM works to shatter the silence and stigma that have historically surrounded sexual violence. This silence has perpetuated harmful myths, isolated survivors, and allowed abusive behaviors to continue.
When survivors see others speaking openly about sexual violence, they often feel less alone and more empowered to share their own experiences. This collective voice creates ripple effects throughout our society.
For example, the #MeToo movement was founded in 2006 by survivor and activist Tarana Burke. In 2017, #MeToo went viral, leading to unprecedented public conversation about sexual misconduct and leading to concrete changes across various industries and institutions. Today, Burke continues this work, serving as the Chief Vision Officer for Me too. International.
Prevention as the priority
SAAM increasingly emphasizes that awareness alone isn't enough. Ultimately, prevention is the final goal.
Prevention strategies highlighted during SAAM include:
Consent education starting from young ages
Legal reforms that improve reporting processes and accountability measures
Institutional policies that prioritize transparency and survivor support
Funding for prevention education and survivor services
Programs challenging harmful gender norms and promoting healthy relationship models
Recent SAAM campaigns extended their reach beyond advocates, intentionally including people who might not immediately recognize their role in sexual harm prevention, such as faith leaders, coaches, teachers, and other community influencers.
Facts and Figures on Sexual Assault
The following statistics represent data on sexual assault prevalence and impact, reporting rates, and conviction trends in the United States. While we focus on U.S. figures here, sexual violence is a global issue. For international perspectives, resources like the World Health Organization, UN Women's global database, and regional organizations such as the European Institute for Gender Equality offer comparative data.
Prevalence of sexual assault
According to the most recent data from the Center for Disease Control (CDC):
Four in five women were first raped before the age of 25 and almost half before the age of 18
Impact statistics of sexual assault
According to the most recent data from RAINN:
94% of women who were raped experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) two weeks after the rape
33% of women who were raped contemplate about suicide
Reporting and conviction statistics on sexual assault
According to the most recent data from the Department and Justice:
Sexual abuse offenses have increased 19.7% since 2019
While still low, the percentage of rape or sexual assault cases reported to police increased from 21% in 2022 to 46% in 2023
How You Can Get Involved
There are many ways you can observe and participate in SAAM, not only in April, but throughout the entire year. Here are some suggestions:
Attend local events: Check your community calendar for SAAM events happening throughout April, such as awareness walks, panel discussions, or film screenings.
Volunteer your time: Consider helping out at a local rape crisis center or domestic violence organization as a hotline advocate or assisting with administrative or event tasks.
Engage with your workplace or campus: Host a lunch-and-learn session, display awareness materials, or bring in a speaker from a local organization to your community.
Support policy initiatives: Pay attention to legislation related to sexual violence prevention, survivor support, and accountability. Contact your representatives about bills that would strengthen protections and services.
Use your social media presence: Share content from your local crisis center and other organizations that spread awareness and fight for sexual assault prevention.
Support prevention education: Advocate for prevention education in schools, sports programs, and youth organizations.
Overall, start having conversations. Sometimes the most powerful advocacy work begins just with that. Challenge victim-blaming comments when you hear them. Share what you're learning about sexual violence prevention with friends and family. Familiarize yourself with the support services in your community so you can direct survivors to help when needed. These seemingly small actions often create some of the most significant impact.
April and Beyond: Carrying SAAM’s Work Forward
As we move forward, remember that the goal of SAAM isn't just to acknowledge the problem of sexual violence for thirty days, but to build lasting change that makes every month safer. From its origins in grassroots activism to today's coordinated national campaigns, SAAM reminds us that change happens through persistent, collective effort.
April and beyond, let’s carry SAAM's mission forward. We all have the power to make a difference, whether it’s supporting local crisis centers, advocating for prevention education, challenging harmful attitudes, or simply being there for survivors in our lives.
Sources:
https://www.nsvrc.org/saam/history
https://www.wcsap.org/advocacy/program-management/new-directors/history/history-movement
https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/wp-content/uploads/Herstory-2016-1.pdf
