April 2026 kicks off the 25th Anniversary of Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), also referred to as Sexual Assault Awareness & Prevention Month. While April 2001 saw the start of SAAM in its official declaration, the history behind it spans back even further.
With its root beginnings through the 1940’s and 1950’s, advocacy, awareness, and prevention surrounding sexual violence grew, with focus on pushing back against the standards of the time, such as with the Civil Rights Movement.
In 1971, the first rape crisis center was opened in San Francisco, and 7 years after saw the very first Take Back the Night event in the U.S.
Some decades later, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) passed, due to the continual demand for legislative action and funding for the necessary support and programs to assist survivors.
In 2000, the newly founded National Sexual Violence Resource Center worked to coordinate awareness and education efforts, including facilitating the choice of the teal ribbon for the movement’s symbol, and the decision to utilize the month of April for awareness events.
Thus, in April of 2001, Sexual Assault Awareness Month was nationally observed.
There are several ways that you can help support the continuing movement throughout the month of April.
- First and foremost: Help Spread Awareness! If you see a post about SAAM on social media, share it! By doing so, you help educate those around you and can also show survivors that you support them.
Nearly every minute, someone in the U.S. is sexually assaulted; every nine minutes, that someone is a child. Awareness can help change that for the better. - Start By Believing. By simply saying, “I believe you”, and starting from a place of believing survivors when they disclose sexual abuse, you can make a big difference in their lives. Who knew three little words could have such a big impact?
1 in 6 women and 1 in 33 men have experienced attempted or completed rape in their lifetime. Odds are, you likely know someone who has been a victim of sexual violence. - Show Up and Show Out! Participating in national and local SAAM events also helps to spread awareness and show support to survivors. You can join AVRC in observing Denim Day on April 29th by decking yourself out in your favorite jeans and posting a selfie using the #SAAM2026 and DenimDay2026 hashtags.
Denim Day is observed from a 1992 rape case in Italy, in which the Judge asserted that the rape of an 18-year old girl committed by her 45-year old driving instructor had to have been consensual, because the victim’s jeans were “tight”, so she must have helped remove them. In response, the Italian Parliament protested by wearing jeans on the steps of the Italian Supreme Court. In 1999, the first Denim Day was observed in Los Angeles, and has been observed annually since.
Sexual violence is unfortunately far more common than people may realize. Awareness and education are crucial factors in helping prevent it. Help AVRC and the survivors we serve and show your support!
If you or someone you know is a survivor of sexual violence, know that you aren’t alone, your voice matters, and support is available. AVRC Staff are available for support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!
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AVRC is non-discriminatory agency regarding age, race, religion, color, gender, country of national origin, sexual orientation, mental health status, substance use or economic condition.
Stats provided by RAINN:
https://rainn.org/get-informed/facts-statistics-the-scope-of-the-problem/