April is designated as Sexual Assault Awareness Month which launches awareness and education campaigns across the country. Look for activities and programs sponsored by agencies, tribal and community-based organizations, in addition to rape crisis centers, hotlines, businesses, and educational institutions. The objective is to bring forth information about sexual violence and its effects on survivors from diverse backgrounds and to galvanize communities to take actions that increase education and prevention efforts.
Sound team members and other mental health professionals often have clients who are coping with the trauma associated with sexual assault. There is an abundance of helpful information available on the internet and through local organizations that work with survivors of assault, domestic violence, and even sex trafficking. We encourage Sound team members to utilize those resources, have conversations about the topic, and attend virtual events that address this issue.
If you can, please attend a virtual event titled Extractive Industries and Sex Trafficking of Native Women and Youth on April 15, from 9 – 10 am (PST). Five experts will speak about the topic and inform the audience about injustices that affect Native people using a race and social justice lens. Sexual assault is connected to Sex Trafficking and BIPOC communities and individuals are affected disproportionally. Furthermore, BIPOC is often ignored when it comes to the larger discussion about sexual assaults and Sex Trafficking.
For more information about the event:
For more information about campaigns and how you can get involved, contact https://www.nsvrc.org/saam.