April: Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Victim of rape as a weapon of war and forced amputation in Sierra Leone
Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) was set to raise awareness of sexual violence and increase prevention. Across the country special events will take place over the next month to highlight the use of sexual violence, and its effects as a major public health issue. Much of the events will be hosted with an aim to reinforce the increased need for prevention programs.
This year the SAAM Day of Action will be observed on Thursday, April 3, 2008, a day set to specifically focus awareness on sexual violence prevention. The National Sexual Violence Research Center (NSVRC), visit the Community Activities page for ideas on how to observe the day and to post your events on the online calendar.
To join the fight against sexual assault begin this month by attending an event, see the NSVRC calender for events in a number of cities across the US. Check your local cities rape crisis centers, shelters, community groups for events in your hometown.
Over the next month I will continually provide you with stories on issues of sexual assault, and other related topics regarding children, including the use of rape as a weapon of war, sex trafficking, female child soldiers, etc.
Here are some great movie/documentary Events in DC (if you are not in DC look to view one or more of these films in your community, or with your family and friends ) :
Tuesday, April 15th – Dreams Die Hard
6:00 – 8:00 p.m. @ The Potter’s House (1658 Columbia Rd., NW)
Through interviews with survivors of domestic human trafficking, Dreams Die Hard tells the story of people who are brought and sold into modern day slavery. $3 suggested donation.
Wednesday, April 16th, The Greatest Silence: Rape in the Congo
7:00 –9:00pm @ Sankofa Video and Bookstore (2714 Georgia Avenue, NW).
Shot in the war zones of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), this film examines the silence that surrounds the plight of women caught in the conflict of the war. FREE
Tuesday, April 22nd – Tin Girls
6:00 – 8:00 p.m. @ The Potter’s House (1658 Columbia Rd., NW)
Tin Girls is a documentary exposing the trade of women and girls in Nepal and India. This film explores the intricacies of the markets that support the economy of the sex trade.
$3 suggested donation.
Check your local city for events throughout the month.
April 8th, 2008 at 1:31 am
[…] As mentioned April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and throughout the month I will work to bring you many stories of the various forms of sexual assault that plagues millions upon millions of young girls across the globe. First I wanted to bring you back to the issue of human trafficking and slavery with in the US, as many people still feel that this is a problem that plagues other nations, however there is no country immune to this disease of power and greed, which binds some 27 million people around the world. […]
April 9th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
[…] For the millions upon millions who are the survivors of sexual violence, one must not forget their struggles in this month of awareness, as their battle is never ending. Therefore in conjunction with April being Sexual Assault Awareness Month, I wanted to share these words of survival. […]
April 12th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
[…] It is fitting that V-Day Fall’s in April, Sexual Assault Awareness Month, “V-Day is a global movement to stop violence against women and girls. V-Day is a catalyst that promotes creative events to increase awareness, raise money and revitalize the spirit of existing anti-violence organizations. V-Day generates broader attention for the fight to stop violence against women and girls, including rape, battery, incest, female genital mutilation (FGM) and sexual slavery.” […]