Campus events planned for National Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April

Stanford’s SHARE Title IX Office is planning a series of events for the month of April in recognition of National Sexual Assault Awareness Month, (SAAM).

The month kicks off with a webinar on April 4 at 9 a.m. featuring Jennifer S. Hirsch and Shamus Khan, authors of the book Sexual Citizens: A Landmark Study of Sex, Power, and Assault on Campus. Other SAAM events at Stanford include the annual Take Back the Night rally/march on April 18 and Denim Day on April 26.

The purpose of the national SAAM campaign is to raise public awareness about sexual violence and promote prevention through education and collective action.

This year’s theme for SAAM is “Drawing Connections: Prevention Demands Equity.” According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, the theme calls for building racial equity and respect and “recognizes that it will take ending all forms of oppression to end sexual harassment, assault, and abuse.”

Each year during SAAM, the SHARE Title IX Office highlights communities that have worked to end sexual violence and support survivors. This year, through the SHARE Supporters newsletter and on Instagram, the focus is on Indigenous women, girls, and the Two-Spirit community, who experience disproportionate rates of sexual violence. The SHARE team aims to uplift the efforts of Indigenous activists who have worked to raise awareness of the unique impacts of violence against Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people.

Stanford events in support of SAAM

In-person SAAM events begin on April 11 with the Day of Action, when the SHARE Office will have a table in White Plaza to help increase awareness of the issue, offer educational materials, and provide ways for community members to show their support.

Events throughout the month include:

• Sexual Citizens webinar, April 4, 9 a.m.; registration is required
• Day of Action, April 11, noon to 2 p.m.; Table in White Plaza
• Take Back the Night rally, march, and speak out, April 18, 7 to 10 p.m.; White Plaza
• Yoga, April 21 and 28, 3 to 4 p.m.; Kingscote Gardens; no registration required
• Denim Day, April 26, 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; White Plaza

More information on the events, including how to register, can be found on the SAAM website. More events will be added throughout the month.

History of the SAAM campaign

The SAAM campaign was launched in 2001 by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC). NSVRC’s mission is to provide research and tools to advocates working on the frontlines to end sexual harassment, assault, and abuse with the understanding that ending sexual violence also means ending racism, sexism, and all forms of oppression. In 2009, under the Obama Administration, April was recognized as National Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

For more information about SAAM 2023 at Stanford, visit the website.