The month of April is a time for communities to come together to raise awareness, improve prevention, and take action against sexual assault. The theme of 2023’s Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) is “Drawing Connections: Prevention Demands Equity”, making a call to action to build racial equity and respect because it takes the end of all forms of oppression to end sexual harassment, assault, and abuse.
According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, the first rape crisis center was founded in San Francisco in 1971, the same city where the first U.S. Take Back the Night event was held seven years later. Although SAAM was first observed in 2001, advocates began holding events and marches during April back to the 1980s, following the Women’s Rights Movement of the 1970s. Now in 2023, advocates, communities, and organizations continue to come together to end sexual assault and abuse.
Team Anna recognizes the ongoing efforts to mobilize and educate communities to eradicate sexual assault. Whether it be supporting survivors through empowering those to share their story or highlight the absolute need to educate those around us about sexual assault and consent, Team Anna will remain dedicated to serve the beautiful souls within our community; to lift them up and create safe spaces.
In honor of Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, come together to empower our friends, family, and local House District 42 community to uplift voices, create safe spaces for education and love, and take measures to prevent sexual assault.
If you or someone you know is struggling, contact RAINN at 1 (800) 656-6473 for support and care. Remember, you are worth it and never alone. Our doors are always open both in Orlando and Tallahassee too in supporting your story and experience.
Within our local community includes ways to get more involved, check out the organizations below for support, education, and more:
- Victim Service Center of Central Florida
- A Certified Rape Crisis Center in Orange, Osceola and Seminole Counties. VSC serves all victims of sexual assault, violent crime and traumatic circumstance through free and confidential crisis intervention, therapy, advocacy and outreach.
- Do you need support? Call their 24/7 Helpline at (407) 500-HEAL
- Harbor House of Central Florida
- Determined to break the cycle of domestic abuse from one generation to the next, Harbor House works to prevent all abuse so everyone has the equal opportunity of what a healthy relationship is in addition to the warning signs of an unhealthy one. Healthy communities are ones that do not tolerate abuse and speak out when they see it.
- Do you need support? Call their 24/7 Crisis Line at (407) 886-2856
- The Center Orlando – Trauma & Coping Group
- A support group designed for people who need assistance processing trauma and coping. For more information on the Trauma & Coping group, email at: info@thecenterorlando.org.
- UCF Let’s Be Clear
- If you’ve experienced sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual and interpersonal violence, stalking, or sexual exploitation, you can find resources, support, and reporting options here. Together, Knights can end gender-based violence.
- Do you need support? Call their confidential helpline at (407) 823-1200 or text at (407) 823-6868
- Rollins College Support
- The College is committed to providing support to all parties involved in an allegation of sexual misconduct. Students are encouraged to talk with and receive support from any member of the Rollins community. Faculty and staff members receive training on how to assist students who disclose information related to sexual misconduct.
- Do you need support? Call the After-Hours Crisis Phone for the Rollins Wellness Center at (833) 848-1761 or contact Campus Safety at (407) 646-2999
- Valencia College Support
- Valencia College strives to be a community in which all members can learn and work in a supportive atmosphere. In order to do so, we provide academic accommodations to victims/survivors of all forms of harassment, including sexual harassment, violence and discrimination.