April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Sexual assault is a widespread problem and happens far too often across ages, genders and cultures. 

Over half of women have experienced sexual violence in her lifetime according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And 1 in 3 women globally have experienced sexual assault, the World Health Organization reports. While women and teen girls are most at risk – 9 out of every 10 rape victims are female – men and boys, and people of all genders, are sexually assaulted.

But we know this is not inevitable. Healthcare providers, employers and advocates can adopt effective strategies to prevent and address sexual assault.

For Sexual Assault Awareness Month, we’ve compiled all our best resources to help you do this imperative work of ending sexual assault.

Healthcare Providers

• Adopt the evidence-based “CUES” intervention (Confidentiality, Universal Education + Empowerment, and Support) to assist survivors and prevent further violence.
• Watch this recorded webinar on equipping healthcare providers to provide trauma-informed care for patients who have experienced sexual violence. 
• Print this Campus Guide on addressing intimate partner and sexual violence in campus healthcare settings.
• Download these safety cards in multiple languages:
  •  “Is Your Relationship Affecting Your Health?” 
  • “Sex, Pleasure, Choice 
  • “Sex, Relationships and Respect on Campus
  •  “We Are Sacred – American Indian/Alaskan Native Reproductive Health” 

Employers

• Recognize the signs that an employee or co-worker could have experienced sexual assault and learn how to respond.
• Print and display this workplaces poster, “Safe For All” about creating a safe workplace free from violence and harassment. 
• Know what the employment rights are in your state for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

For Violence Prevention Advocates

• Check out this great video for young men developed to spur conversations about their role in preventing sexual harassment and assault. More resources for men are here.
• Find resources here to help teach college and high school students about healthy relationships. 
• Learn how to talk to teens about bodily autonomy and respect.

If you or someone you know needs help, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-HOPE or go to https://hotline.rainn.org/online to chat online.

These and many more resources are available at our online store where providers and advocates can download safety cards, posters, and more for free, and order hard copies for the cost of shipping.

We hope you will use and share these materials. To stay updated on our work with healthcare communities, please join our email list.