April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. In the U.S., 1-in-3 women and 1-in-6 men will experience some form of sexual violence in their lifetime. Here are ten ideas for actions you can take to support survivors and eliminate sexual violence:
- Read about things you can say to help sexual assault survivors when they disclose to you—“I believe you. What happened to you was not your fault.” Access resources specific to survivors of color, LGBTQ survivors, and male survivors.
- Share this short Tea Consent video with everyone you know.
- Host a RAINN Day event on your campus or in your community.
- Organize a Clothesline Project exhibit on your campus or in your community.
- Wear jeans on National Denim Day (April 24th) to show solidarity with survivors.
- Host a Take Back the Night event on your campus on in your community.
- Organize a screening of The Invisible War, No! The Rape Documentary, The Hunting Ground, or It Happened Here for your friends, campus, or community.
- Volunteer for a local or national rape crisis center.
- Host a screening of The Mask You Live In and organize a discussion of the links between the “man box” and sexual violence against boys and girls, men and women.
- Contact your members of Congress and encourage them to pass legislation that actually shifts rape culture instead of just addressing its symptoms.