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History of SAAM

The roots of Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) run deep, from the Civil Rights Movement to the founding of the first rape crisis centers, to national legislation and beyond. When you look into the movement to end sexual violence it is clear that it is impossible to prevent an issue no one knows about, and it’s difficult to make people aware of a problem without providing a solution. Movements began to gain traction in the 1940s and 50s with the Civil Rights era. Open discussion of the realities of sexual assault and domestic violence were limited at these times. Efforts during this time were championed by Black women and women of color. Advocates like Rosa Parks worked at the intersections of race-based and gender-based violence.

Wide social activism around the issue of sexual assault continued into the 1970s, bringing with it support for survivors and heightened awareness. 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. The following decades mobilized survivors and advocates to call for legislation and funding that would support survivors, such as the Violence Against Women Act of 1933 (VAWA). Monumental changes like VAWA demonstrated that national efforts promoting sexual violence prevention were needed. Even before SAAM was first nationally observed in 2001, advocates had been holding events, marches, and observances related to sexual violence during the month of April, sometimes during a week-long “Sexual Assault Awareness Week.”

In an effort to further coordinate awareness and prevention efforts, in 2000, the newly launched National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) and the Resource Sharing Project polled sexual violence coalitions. They asked about their preferred color, symbol, and month for sexual assault awareness activities. The results showed that those in the movement preferred a teal ribbon as a symbol for sexual assault awareness, and SAAM as we know it was born.

Thanks to NSVRC for this information.

Schedule

• Wednesday, Apr. 8, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. — Paint the Town Teal & By Your Side
• Location: Caf/SUB Walkway
• Description: 
  • Paint the Town Teal: The teal ribbon is the symbol of the prevention of sexual violence. Stop by to receive your own to wear around campus. We will also have rocks for you to paint as a physical representation of resilience!
  • By Your Side: Leave a prayer, take a prayer. Part of the way that we can partner with one another is through prayer. This anonymous activity provides an opportunity to know that someone is praying for you while you pray for someone else.

• Wednesday Apr. 15, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. — Clothesline Project & Handprint Project
  • Location: Fireplace Pavilion
  • Description:
    • Clothesline Project: This is a visual display of violence statistics that often go ignored. Done to honor a survivor's strength to continue, and to provide another avenue for them to break the silence that often surrounds their experience.The color of each shirt represents a different type of violence.
    • Handprint Project: By placing a handprint on the banner, we invite you to take a pledge to not commit or condone sexual violence.

• Thursday, April 16 at 12-1 p.m. — RADS Women's Self Defense
  • Location: Emergency Operations Center (Campus Safety Office)
    
  • Description: The Women's Self-Defense Training is a program of realistic self-defense tactics and techniques for women brought to you by the Campus Safety team.

• Wednesday, April 22, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. — Community Cries
  • Location: Caf/SUB Walkway
  • Description: We encourage you to write an anonymous message of lament. After writing, place your note in a jar alongside a community of other cries - serving as a reminder that there is a universal need to express lament.

• Wednesday, April 29, 10. a.m.-4 p.m. — Denim Day
• Location: Fluor Fountain
• Description: Learn more about the history and purpose of Denim Day - a nationwide education campaign that invites everyone to wear jeans as a visible way to highlight misconceptions surrounding sexual violence. Get involved by stopping by to grab a denim bracelet!

Student Resources

• Participate on Social Media: Post a pic wearing teal or your SAAM T-Shirt and tag 51�ԹϺ���’s Instagram account throughout the month of April.
• NSVRC Resources “Building Online Safe Spaces Together”
• Use these zoom backgrounds during our Focus Week
  
  Download
  
  Download
• Resources from Biola’s Updated Sexual Misconduct Policy with new Title IX regulations that took effect August 14, 2020:
  • Definitions for common terms related to sexual assault
  • Reporting sexual misconduct & confidential communications
  • Resources & Support
  • Well-Being Toolbox
• Additional Resources

Rideshare Safety Tips

When calling for a rideshare, remember these tips to stay safe:

• Stick together: Nights out are always more fun -- and safer -- with friends. Whether you're staying close to or heading off campus, it’s important to look out for each other and make sure everyone in your group has a safe ride home.
• Check-In: If you’re headed out on a date or to someone’s place, tell a friend or roommate, and have a system for checking in with them to let them know you’re safe. 85% of students who are sexually assaulted are victimized by someone they know - and more than half of the assaults take place during a date with the perpetrator.
• Be extra careful at night: When you’re traveling in the evening, be aware of your surroundings, have your phone available, and try to request rides when you’re in familiar and well-lit areas.
• Trust your gut: If you see something that seems out of the ordinary, trust your instincts, and don’t hesitate to call campus safety, (562) 777-4000. If it is safe for those in your group, report to local law enforcement -- and always call 911 in an emergency.
• Check Your Ride: If you are choosing rideshare, please before getting into your rideshare vehicle. It’s important to verify the license plate number, car make and model, and driver photo and name before getting into the car. If students are ordering a trip for someone else, please pass along vehicle and driver information so those riders can verify they are getting into the right vehicle.

Source:

Faculty and Staff Resources

• Educate yourself on Biola’s Updated Sexual Misconduct Policy with the new Title IX regulations that took effect August 14, 2020 – Sexual Misconduct Policy
• • Read the policy and find out if you are a responsible employee and learn how to report and your obligations under federal law.
• Report, Report, Report
  • If you know or heard of an incident involving sexual misconduct, report the incident to the university.
• Be aware that you might be a private source, yet not a confidential one to students.
  • Confidential Sources for Students on campus:
    • The Biola Counseling Center (BCC)
    • Biola’s Campus Pastor in Spiritual Development
• Check out the SAAM schedule and see how you can get involved and encourage student engagement. Learn from the student resources and share them with your students.
• Start conversations on the importance of caring & communicating well with one another.
• Back to the Syllabus
  • Remind your students of the “Confidentiality and Sexual Misconduct” section in their syllabus.
• Participate in Social Media
  • Post a picture wearing teal or your SAAM T-shirt during the month of April on your department or program Instagram account.