Join the Student Health and Counseling Center in recognition of National Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) for April 2020.

Even though we are dealing with a worldwide heath crisis at this time, awareness of sexual assault is still needed. One in five women and one in 71 men will be raped at some point in their lives in the United States. In eight out of 10 cases of rape, the victim knew the perpetrator. Eight percent of rapes occur while the victim is at work. Why are these important statistics to know? The shelter in place order not only forces people at risk of sexual assault to stay in the home or proximity of their abuse, it can create circumstances where their safety is compromised and can reduce the likelihood that individuals will report sexual assault or access resources for fear of being overheard by others in the home. People are more vulnerable during this time with many businesses being closed or limiting their staff. This puts people more at risk because if sexual harassment and/or sexual assault occurs a person might not want to report to risk their job security.

By joining together every April, we can spread awareness and change rape culture. We can all help prevent sexual violence by modeling and promoting healthy and positive relationships that are based on respect, safety and equality.

We all have the ability to positively influence others.

You can help by…

• Believing survivors, don’t question them
• If a friend makes jokes or comments about sexual assault, let them know you support survivors
• Modeling consent with friends and family
• If you have children, teach them about consent and have open conversations with them
• Know your resources

Resources:

• Fresno State Campus Community: Confidential Survivor Advocate, Mindy Kates, at 559.278.6796 or survivoradvocate@csufresno.edu. The Survivor Advocate is still working remotely for our campus needs.
• Rape Counseling Services is Fresno County’s local resource for those affected by sexual assault. They have a 24-hour Crisis Hotline 559.222.7273. You can learn more about RCS at https://rcsfresno.org or follow them on social media at @rcsfresno.
• The National Sexual Violence Resource Center, a very helpful website which has information for survivors, friends, family and resources.
• RAINN (Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Networks) is a National 24-hour-hotline 800.656.4673.

Data referenced in this article is from the 2010 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey.