2008 Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM)

In the State of Washington and nationally, we have selected to recognize Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) for the entire month of April.

The recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness is an annual event in Washington State. It is a time for individuals and communities to come together to raise awareness and to take action against sexual assault.

The history of Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) stems from the early 1970s, when survivors of sexual violence came together and began to speak out against the atrocities they suffered. They held rallies and public speak-outs, and as a result created a movement to end sexual violence.

This year’s theme, “Because you’d do anything to protect them: Start the conversation,” continues this vision with a spirit of hope and purpose to raise awareness and effect change.  

This year’s SAAM Media Campaign focuses on child sexual abuse and highlights the responsibility of adults to protect and inform children. It promotes the importance of parents and caregivers to educate themselves and their children about personal safety and sexual assault issues. By learning the facts about child sexual abuse and engaging in dialog with their children, parents empower themselves, their children, and community. Children deserve this knowledge so that they can understand boundaries, process interactions and best gauge their personal safety. When parents/caregivers have proactive open conversations it demonstrates they care, are a resource for questions and a safe person to come to if something happened. Children should never be held accountable for stopping acts against them…this is a responsibility charged to adults.

It’s not just parents and caregivers who have a responsibility to be informed and protect children. We all must support a climate of non-tolerance by breaking the silence around sexual assault. We must speak the truth and clear societal misconceptions about child sexual assault:

TRUTH- Sexual Violence Affects Children
Approximately 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys are sexually assaulted before the age of 18.

FACT- IT’S BEYOND STRANGER DANGER
In up to 90% of all child sexual abuse cases, the child knew the offender. Preventing child sexual abuse is not just teaching children the danger of strangers.

Sexual assault is an intolerable crime that affects all of us. It permeates and deteriorates society as a whole. The impact of its deterioration can be found in our schools, on our playgrounds, campuses, families, workplace and threaded throughout our culture. Sexual Assault Awareness Month is a continuum of our efforts to bring about change, promote healing, justice, and to create a tomorrow that transcends sexual violence.
Therefore, we would like to encourage you to use the 2008 materials to initiate a campaign that speaks to parents, caregivers, and the public. The intent of this campaign is to educate and build awareness in communities beyond the month of April.

Each sexual assault program in Washington will receive campaign materials, in advance of SAAM, for distribution in their local community.

Individuals not affiliated with a sexual assault program can get materials by contacting their local Sexual Assault Program.

This campaign’s outreach message is empowerment. It’s about knowing that one person can make a difference in the life of child and in turn society on whole.

We hope that efforts in this campaign will move us closer in the mission of social change.

In addition, we hope this guide will be helpful in planning and organizing your local SAAM events. If we can be of any assistance, please contact Andrea at 360-754-7583 x 111.

2008 Proclamation