If you didn’t know, April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. This month is essential because it sheds light on those who have gone through this awful experience. You can do multiple things to protect yourself from situations like this. You can protect yourself as much as you would like; however, unfortunately, these types of things can still happen to anyone despite all the precautions you take.
The goal for Sexual Awareness Month is to educate people on Sexual Assaults. Sexual assaults mainly happen to women; however, despite this, it can still happen to men. That is why it’s recommended to have conversations with both males and females separately. Boys need to have these types of discussions with parents/legal guardians because it shows them what people go through, and what they can do to help or to prevent that from happening to themselves, too. This month aims to highlight the dangers that might happen and how traumatizing it can be to individuals and society as a whole. Organizations take this time to advocate how important it is for people to give clear consent. The month is also a reminder to support survivors of sexual assault crimes. Sexual Assault Awareness Month is not just to raise awareness but also to inspire action to end sexual violence in all forms.
Staying safe from sexual assault crimes involves multiple steps, such as being aware of your surroundings, being prepared for the worst situations, and being cautious. The first thing is you have to be aware at all times, especially if you are in an unfamiliar place. Make sure you always trust your instincts. If something feels off, take a very well-lit path or go look for an area where there are people around; don’t stay alone. Secondly, you should always be prepared. Make sure your phone is always charged and accessible. It would be a very good idea to go out in groups and only with people you trust wholeheartedly. It’s also very helpful to make a safety plan on how to get home, whether that’s going to be an Uber, public transportation, or carpooling with someone. Thirdly, it is very crucial to be cautious. There is a difference between being cautious and being careful. Careful people make sure to pay close attention to details so they don’t mess up, while cautious people are afraid of potential danger. You should learn some type of self-defense moves in case you need to protect yourself, and it can give you a boost of confidence. You can also educate yourself on the resources available to you from your communities. By doing all these things, you are helping reduce the risk of becoming a victim, but just know you are never alone.
In situations where you feel at risk of getting sexually assaulted, it is very important to rely on your instincts and the safety procedures you have set in place. If someone is threatening you, it is important to clearly state your boundaries, which means not to hesitate when it comes to raising your voice to attract as much attention as you can to yourself. Instead of yelling Help, yell fire or yell mom. Most women turn their heads when it comes to someone yelling mom due to the relatively high percentages of child trafficking, and also thanks to social media, many women know to start looking for whoever is yelling mom. If you can reach your phone, call 911. Something else that you could do is carry safety weapons on you, such as a safety whistle or pepper spray, or even a pocket knife. One important thing to remember is that although you may carry these things, panic might get to you and you might freeze up, so please, although this type of thing is very traumatizing, you have to remain calm so you don’t forget what to do because staying calm can save your life.
Sexual assault awareness month serves as a reminder of how important it is to be educated on these types of situations. Every time April comes around, remember to participate in activities that educate you on the types of things to do so you don’t become a victim. This month also shows support towards survivors of these crimes. When it comes to survivors, make sure you listen and believe what they are telling you, because it is very helpful to the survivor’s healing journey. Many organizations work very hard to shine a light on these crimes, they also empower other survivors to seek help, and share their stories with the world. Whatever the cause is, just know that if someone ever sexually assaults you or tries to, it wasn’t your fault. Coercion is also a very real and traumatizing version of sexual assault. No matter what, you are the victim, not them. They harmed you, you didn’t harm them. If you said no, then no means no. Clothes aren’t invitations for them to harm you; if you didn’t verbally say yes, then it’s a no. You aren’t alone, and you will never be alone.
