SAAPM 2023
Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month
This year’s national SAAPM theme is “Drawing Connections: Prevention Demands Equity.” As we continue to rethink how to navigate and create a safer world for those who have been harmed, it's important that we understand the complex roots of anti-sexual violence advocacy. Sexual violence has always lived at the intersection of race, gender, and class. In the United States, movements for social change and equality began to gain traction in the 1940s and 50s with the civil rights era. Efforts during this time were championed by Black women and women of color. Advocates like Rosa Parks worked at the intersections of race-based and gender-based violence (a framework that years later in 1989, advocate and professor Kimberlé Crenshaw would call “intersectionality”).
As long as there have been people who care about making the world a better place, there have been individuals advocating for sexual assault prevention. This year, along with the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC), we're calling on all individuals, communities, organizations, and institutions to change ourselves and the systems surrounding us to
build racial equity and respect. Similarly, we're asking individuals and the communities in Arlington to realize the important role we all play in preventing sexual violence. No matter how big or small, we can all become agents of change in the anti-sexual violence movement. Please consider engaging in this important issue by taking part in the below offered throughout the month:
You and/or your agency can directly show support by:
- Sharing the SAAPM calendar(PDF, 2MB) of all happenings and events throughout the month (virtual and in-person).
- Raising awareness by visiting us during "Weekends at the Market(PDF, 439KB)" where Project PEACE (along with its partners) will be providing options for support, education on boundaries and consent, and resources available in Arlington.
- Wearing teal in honor of Day of Action (April 4th) and posting to social media using hashtags #tealout #dayofaction
- Wearing jeans on Denim Day (April 26th)
- Participating in our learning opportunities throughout the month including:
- Amplifying social media messages by sharing the content already prepared on our social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) with your own networks all month long, especially during #30DaysofSAAM.
Racial Justice is Survivor Justice
While our community theme this year emphasizes safety in relationships to address local victim and survivor needs, it is important to uplift the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence's national theme of No Survivor Justice Without Racial Justice.
As Arlington County continues to embed racial equity in its footprint, it is vital to be cognizant of and acknowledge communities that have historically experienced domestic violence at radically higher rates, namely BIPOC women and girls, only to be retraumatized through oppressive and inequitable service delivery. Together, through Arlington's commitment to race and equity, we can forge a new system of service delivery that aims to eradicate all oppression to achieve the justice every survivor deserves.
Take Action:
Tell us about your experience accessing services in Arlington.
Everyone deserves to be safe at home and in their relationships. When someone in our community is not safe and is being hurt by their partner, there are resources to help. Please consider taking one of the surveys below to share your experience using, looking for, or referring people to resources for those impacted by domestic/intimate partner/dating violence and sexual assault in Arlington County.
There are two surveys. You are welcome to take both as applicable. While the survey works best on a computer, you may also use a mobile device.
Arlington Community Members: Click to access survey.
Arlington Service Providers: Click to access survey.
Questions in the survey ask about your experience, or the experiences of people you know, and could bring up strong emotions. It is your choice how many, and which questions you answer. If you need support at any time, please call the Doorways Domestic and Sexual Violence hotline available 24-hours a day at 703-237-0881.
This survey was created by Project PEACE, Arlington’s Coordinated Community Response, in order to understand how Arlington community members have, or have not, accessed local support. This survey is confidential and results will be analyzed by Project PEACE and their members to enhance and improve services for everyone in the county. Questions? Call or email: 703-228-5003 or info-projectpeace@arlingtonva.us
Resources
If you or someone you know has been impacted by intimate partner or sexual violence you are not alone. We are here to help.
- For Arlington resources click here.
- For Alexandria resources click here.
- For Fairfax resources click here.
- For Loudoun resources click here.
- For JCADA resources and support click here.
Materials
Sexual and Domestic Violence Resources
Sexual and Domestic Violence Resources
Resources for Adults Supporting Youth
The materials above are free to download and use. To request pre-printed versions please email info-projectPEACE@arlingtonva.us