At RAINN, we’re dedicated to supporting survivors of sexual violence every day of the year—but each April we do a little something different. April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM) and this year our theme is Awareness to Action. During #SAAPM we ask individuals and communities across the country to engage with this issue that affects nearly every household in America by learning more about sexual violence, sharing important statistics and information, hosting events, volunteering, and donating.
Each week in April we’re featuring different ways you can get involved by promoting awareness and taking action. Want to get involved but need help getting started? We’ve got you covered. That’s why we created custom SAAPM graphics for you to share, tweet, and tag with @RAINN throughout the month, as well as many other resources below.
Scroll to explore or click to jump to each week of SAAPM to see how you can get involved.
College or High School Student? Try RAINN Day
RAINN Day is an annual day of action this year held on Thursday, April 4, to help raise awareness about sexual violence on campus. You can participate by hosting a RAINN Day event in your community. Download our 2019 Event Planning Guide to get started.
How You Can Stay Involved All Month Long
Checking your social media feeds anyway today? Follow RAINN on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook where we’ll be sharing information, statistics, and graphics, and gifs for SAAPM throughout the month of April. Share our posts, tag @RAINN, and encourage others to do the same.
Week 1: Speak Out
During the first week of SAAPM, we’re hoping you can help us raise awareness of sexual violence in three simple ways.
- Post a photo on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook of a blue triangle on your hand on Thursday, April 4 to show your support of RAINN Day. A blue triangle represents a megaphone to remind us to use our voices to spread awareness about sexual violence.
- Change your Facebook profile photo to include RAINN SAAPM frame. Available on Facebook on April 1. Search RAINN SAAPM 2019 to find it.
- Tell one person in your life about RAINN and SAAPM.
- What to share? This week, encourage others to speak out by sharing our custom-made posts below on social media:
- Every 92 seconds another person is sexually assaulted. Speak out during Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month with @RAINN. rainn.org/SAAPM #SAAPM
- I speak out because I believe that every survivor deserves a safe place to find help. Speak out with me this Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. Visit: rainn.org/SAAPM #SAAPM
Week 2: Support Survivors and Yourself
The second week of SAAPM is focused on sharing information about how you can support survivors and practice self care. Here are a few ways you can make it happen.
- Choose a self-care activity to participate in at some point this week. Think about going for a long walk, spending time in nature, spending time with supportive friends, journaling, or do something else that makes you feel strong, healthy, and cared for. For a little inspiration, take a look at RAINN’s self-care ideas.
- Order free print materials from RAINN’s online store, or print flyers/postcards from RAINN’s website, and post them in a coffee shop or other frequently visited area in your community.
- Share the National Sexual Assault Hotline number on social media: 800.656.HOPE (4673) or chat online at online.rainn.org.
- What to share? This week, encourage others to support survivors by sharing our custom-made posts below on social media:
- I #SupportSurvivors. If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual violence, help is available. Call @RAINN at 800.656.HOPE or visit online.rainn.org. #SAAPM
- When sexual violence is in the news, it can bring up difficult emotions for survivors. If you’re experiencing this, @RAINN is here to #SupportSurvivors every day: online.rainn.org. #SAAPM
Week 3: Stay Educated
This week is about staying educated. Below are a few quick and simple ways you can share information about sexual violence prevention with your community.
- Share RAINN’s SAAPM graphics (above!).
- Read one new article on RAINN’s website. Then share it.
- Learn the laws in your state with our State Law Tool and share one that you didn’t know about before on your social media accounts. Tag us @RAINN with #SAAPM.
- What to share? This week, encourage others to educate theselves and their communities by sharing our custom-made posts below on social media:
- Every 9 minutes a child is sexually assaulted in the U.S. Get the facts at rainn.org/SAAPM. #SAAPM @RAINN
- Staying educated about sexual assault is key to ending it. Follow @RAINN to learn key facts, ways to find support, and to get involved during Sexual Assault Awareness & Prevention Month. #SAAPM