By Maddison Mitchell and Cristal Velasquez
Sexual Assault Awareness & Prevention Month (SAAMP)
As April unfolds, conversations around growth, renewal, and new beginnings naturally come to the forefront. Yet, alongside these themes, this month also calls us to acknowledge realities that are often left unspoken. Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month invites us to not only recognize the prevalence of sexual violence, but to intentionally create space for individuals and communities impacted by it.
At the Counselors Against Sex Trafficking (CAST) Research Lab, we emphasize the importance of trauma-informed care, advocacy, and research in addressing sexual violence. This month serves as a reminder that awareness alone is not enough. Awareness must be paired with education, reflection, and action. This blog will explore why this month matters, what research and clinical perspectives highlight, and how individuals and communities can contribute to prevention efforts.
Why it Matters
Sexual violence is not an isolated experience. It is deeply connected to systems, stigma, and barriers that often silence survivors (National sexual violence resource center, n.d., “About Sexual Assault section”.) National data highlights the prevalence of this issue, with 81% of women and 43% of men reporting that they have experienced some form of sexual harassment and/or assault in their lifetime (Kearl, 2018). These numbers are not just statistics they reflect lived experiences that are often carried in silence. Certain groups also face a higher risk of sexual violence including college students (18-24), LGBTQ+ individuals, and children and teenagers (Connections for abused women and their children, 2024).
Awareness is important, but without meaningful engagement, it can remain surface-level. In counseling and research spaces, there is a growing emphasis on shifting from simply acknowledging harm to actively working toward prevention, empowerment, and systemic change. This perspective highlights the importance of not only supporting survivors but also addressing the conditions that allow harm to persist.
What the Research and Field Emphasize
Research and clinical work consistently show that survivors of sexual violence often face barriers such as fear, shame, and lack or support when disclosing their experiences (Mayer et al., 2025.) These barriers can be reinforced by societal narratives that minimize or dismiss their experiences (National sexual violence resource center, n.d., “About Sexual Assault section”.) Trauma-informed approaches emphasize safety, empowerment, and choice-recognizing that healing is not linear and that everyone’s experience is valid and unique (National sexual violence resource center, n.d., “About Sexual Assault section”.) Additionally, research highlights the impact of community support and culturally responsive care in fostering resilience and recovery. For those in helping professions, this work also includes recognizing the emotional weight of engaging with trauma-related content and the importance of reflective and sustainable practices (National sexual violence resource center, 2012.)
Prevention and Collective Responsibility
Prevention is not passive, it requires intentional, everyday action. It exists in how we talk about consent, how we challenge harmful beliefs, and how we create environments that prioritize respect and safety. Rather than placing responsibility solely on individuals, prevention calls for collective effort. This includes education, advocacy, and a willingness to confront discomfort in order to create meaningful change.
Practical Applications and Reflection
There are small but impactful ways individuals can contribute to awareness and prevention efforts.
- Educate yourself: Learn about consent, boundaries, and the realities of sexual violence.
- Challenge harmful narratives: Speak up when encountering victim-blaming or dismissive language.
- Support survivors: Listen without judgement and respect their autonomy.
- Engage in your community: Advocate for resources, policies, and spaces that promote safety.
- Anyone can wear teal, the official color of SAAPM, during the month of April to show solidarity with survivors. You could also wear denim jeans to protest misconceptions surrounding sexual violence (National sexual violence resource center, n.d., “About Sexual Assault section”.)
- Parents, caregivers, and teachers can provide consent education at an early age to help children understand boundaries and respect for others.
For Counselors and Practitioners
Counselors play a critical role in supporting survivors through trauma-informed, culturally responsive care (National sexual violence resource center, 2012.) This includes creating safe spaces, validating, experiences, empowering clients to regain a sense of control and agency. Practitioners are also called to engage in ongoing self-reflection, recognizing the potential for vicarious trauma while maintaining suitable and ethical practices. By integrating advocacy and education into their work, counselors can contribute not only to individual healing, but to broader systemic change.
Summary
Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month is more than a moment of recognition. It is a call to action. Awareness is only the first step. Meaningful change occurs when individuals and communities commit to ongoing learning, reflection, and advocacy. By showing up intentionally, for survivors, for our communities, and for the systems we are part of, we move closer toward a future where safety, dignity, and respect are not exceptions, but expectations.
Sources:
Connections for Abused Women and Their Children. (2025, Mar 31). Understanding sexual assault awareness and prevention month. https://www.cawc.org/news/understanding-sexual-assault-awareness-and-prevention-month/?fbclid=IwY2xjawRKXW5leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFjRjM3NXlnRWdXOTZ0R1Joc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHoC2Tc-eNQ2kKAwo-C-Qbclcx6z8ziuhG6lhlAnK5If5k66P1cNLsaBr06_u_aem_adqu3hs_9SSsK4I9anNwkA
Kearl, H. (2018). The facts behind the #metoo movement: A national study on sexual harassment and assault. Stop Street Harassment.
Mayer, E. D., Peterson, R., Kim, E., Bhuptani, P. H., Kiefer, R., Cruz-Sánchez, M., & Orchowski, L. (2025). What survivors of sexual violence want when disclosing their experiences in person or online: Qualitative interview analysis. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 27, e73497. https://doi.org/10.2196/73497
National Sexual Violence Resource Center. (n.d.). About sexual assault. https://www.nsvrc.org/about-sexual-assault/
National Sexual Violence Resource Center. (2012). Healthy sexuality: A guide for advocates, counselors, and prevention educators. https://www.nsvrc.org/sites/default/files/publications/2019-02/Healthy-sexuality-a-guide-for-advocates-counselors-and-prevention-educators.pdf
Counselors Against Sex Trafficking 