Sexual Assault Awareness Month: Learn, Act & Change

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), and this week, we’re focusing on how we can come together as a community to learn, act and change.
At Rise Above Violence, we believe that preventing sexual violence isn’t always just about policies or training; it’s about culture. It’s about how we talk to each other, how we show up for one another and how we respond when something feels off. Everyone has a role to play in making our community safer.

Learn: understanding what sexual violence really looks like
Sexual assault doesn’t always look like what we see on TV. It can happen in relationships, between friends or behind closed doors. It includes any sexual activity without clear, freely given, enthusiastic consent.
Consent isn’t just a “yes”— it’s a yes that’s informed, honest and ongoing. It can be withdrawn at any time. And it cannot be given by someone who is intoxicated, impaired or unconscious.
Coercion is not consent. Pressuring someone through guilt, fear or manipulation is not OK. Everyone deserves the space to say “yes” or “no” without fear of consequences. And a “yes” founded in fear of repercussions or backlash is not real consent.
And let’s be clear: If someone agrees to sex with a condom and the other person secretly takes it off, that’s stealthing, and it’s sexual assault.

Act: Interrupt the patterns
Small actions matter. When we ignore uncomfortable jokes, brush off boundary-pushing behavior, or stay quiet about harassment, we send a message that those things are normal. But they’re not.
Sexual harassment — like unwanted comments, repeated advances or gestures that make someone feel uncomfortable — is real harm. It’s not “just a joke,” and it’s not about being “too sensitive.” It’s about respect.
You don’t have to be an expert to speak up. Just noticing and saying, “Hey, that’s not OK,” can shift the tone. You don’t have to have all the answers; you just have to show that you care.

Change: Build the culture you want to live in
When we make room for people to speak up, to feel heard and to be believed, we create something powerful. We build trust. We build safety. We build a culture where survivors don’t feel ashamed and where violence has no room to grow.
This isn’t about blame. It’s about responsibility. And the good news is we can all be part of the change.
Whether you’re setting boundaries, checking in on a friend or just learning more about consent and healthy relationships, it all matters.
​
Together we rise