Despite significant social changes brought by The Civil Rights Era of the 1950s and 1960s, discussions about sexual assault and domestic violence remained limited until the 1970s. Survivors were often subjected to:
- Skeptical courts and juries
- Low conviction rates
- Public humiliation
- Adultery accusations
- Loss of family, employment, and more
This is why we needed–and still need–Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). Here’s a brief history of SAAM and what you can do to raise sexual assault awareness.
The Role of Black Women
Throughout much of United States history, rape of Black women was tragically legal. Thus, it is not surprising that it took the advocacy of Black female civil rights activists like Rosa Parks (and later, Kimberlé Crenshaw) to illuminate the intersections of race- and gender-based violence. Some milestones reached:
- 1971 – The first rape crisis center was established in San Francisco.
- 1975 – Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (now Pennsylvania Coalition to Advance Respect) was founded.
- 1978 – San Francisco hosted the United States’ inaugural Take Back the Night event.
- 2000 – The National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) was launched.
- 2001 – SAAM was officially observed nationwide in the US.
About the Teal Ribbon
Since it began, the NSVRC has been committed to collaboration and coordination. Already working closely with other sexual assault awareness and prevention organizations, it surveyed various sexual violence organizations to determine preferences regarding color, symbol, and month for sexual assault awareness activities. The Center chose the teal ribbon based on these polls and designated April SAAM.
Each year, the NSVRC provides resources, graphics, and tools to assist organizations in hosting events and raising awareness for SAAM. Get yours here.
A Continuing Problem
As licensed professionals and small business owners, we must recognize the enduring significance of SAAM, both personally and within our workplaces. Here are a few recent workplace sexual assault stories in the news:
- Co-founder of a professional wrestling organization facing allegations of sexual assault and sex trafficking
- Resignation of a prominent corporate executive following multiple reports of sexual assault by employees
- Investigation of a hospital for mishandling sexual assault complaints
It’s still happening. These stories underscore the urgency of heightened sexual assault awareness and prevention efforts. We must implement them across all settings, especially those we control (e.g., homes, schools, workplaces).
What You Can Do
- Volunteer: Consider offering your time to community rape crisis centers, assisting with hotline calls or prevention programs.
- Organize: Host or join events aimed at raising awareness about sexual assault and sexual violence.
- Learn: Continue educating yourself using resources provided by organizations such as the NSVRC.
- Donate: Support rape crisis centers and other nonprofit organizations dedicated to addressing sexual assault, as they heavily rely on public funding to operate effectively.
Want to discuss trauma-informed management?
Creating Safe and Supportive Workplaces: Why SAAM Matters to Employers