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Embrace Your Voice: It’s Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM)

Posted in Community Outreach and EventsTagged , ,
By: Blackwell Digital
Posted On: April 9, 2018

Finding the Words to End Sexual Assault

April 9, 2018, St. Louis, MOIt can be challenging. Yes, yes it can. Still, Safe Connections encourages everyone to speak out about sexual assault. The fact that we talk about sexual violence matters. The way that we talk about it matters just as much. Plus, it’s April, so we will all be timely and on point with our open and respectful conversations. Thanks to the continued efforts of the National Sexual Violence Resource Center along with countless other organizations, the theme for this year’s Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) campaign is Embrace Your Voice.

So, specifically, how do you Embrace Your Voice this April? The options are limitless. Say #MeToo and share your story. Stand up to victim blaming. Shut down rape jokes. Challenge harmful misconceptions. Each one of us can play a vital role in sexual assault awareness and prevention.  We each have a powerful voice, and together, our voices are stronger. This April, Embrace Your Voice, and we can move forward together, all of us.

To learn more about SAAM or to download templates and tools for social media, please visit the National Sexual Violence Resource Center.

Make a Difference Right Away During SAAM

  1. Engage with Safe Connections on Facebook and Twitter @SafeConnections. Share and comment regularly to make your voice heard.
  2. Consider providing monthly financial support to survivors through our Sustainers Circle.
  3. Buy some beer. Yep, it’s that easy. Perennial Artisan Ales is donating all profits from their On Y Va brew to Safe Connections while supplies last. The beer was brewed by local women who are professional brewers on International Women’s Day. Kinda cool. $12 for a 4-pack.
  4. Reach out to Safe Connections to schedule a presenter come to your school or workplace to present a workshop on prevention and support of sexual violence survivors. 314.646.7500
  5. Women and girls ages 10-110 are invited to experience #MeToo Stories at the 11th annual Together! Engaging Women | Empowering Girls brunch Saturday morning April 28, 2018 at The Ritz-Carlton in Clayton. Read more.

Hurt by Rape, Sexual Assault or Dating Violence?

  • Please call the 24-hour Safe Connections Crisis Helpline at 314.531.2003 to talk with a compassionate, anonymous person here in St. Louis. We can just listen or help you plan your next steps and find the resources that fit you.
  • The St. Louis YWCA’s Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) can meet you at a local emergency room to be there for you during your examination. There is no charge for this service. SART advocates are available 24/7 at 314.531.RAPE or 314.531.7273.

By Kathy Recto.  Kathy is an undergraduate pre-med student at Washington University in St. Louis, working on her degree in Public Health.

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