For survivors of sexual assault, the wounds run deep. Sexual violence is a tragically pervasive injustice that touches the lives of millions of people every year. Each April, we take extra care to celebrate the strength of individuals injured by sexual violence and demand institutional change. Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) is a crucial time for raising consciousness and empathy toward this critical social issue.
April 2023 SAAM Theme: “Drawing Connections: Prevention Demands Equity”
The first Sexual Assault Awareness Month was the brainchild of sexual violence prevention organizations that realized the desperate national need to raise awareness of the issue.
During the first SAAM in April 2021, the theme “Embrace Your Power to End Sexual Violence” guided learning and advocacy. This year’s SAAM theme is “Drawing Connections: Prevention Demands Equity,” which calls on individuals, communities, organizations, and institutions to approach sexual violence prevention from an intersectional perspective. In 2023, SAAM calls upon all of us to consider how systems of racial oppression have contributed to sexual violence in our society and demand institutional change.
Staggering Sexual Assault Statistics
According to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), an average of 463,634 Americans ages 12 or older experience sexual violence every year, and 1 out of every 6 American women has had to grapple with the fallout of attempted or completed rape at the hands of a sex abuser in their lifetime.
These statistics are staggering, but they don’t tell the whole story. Sexual assault is a hidden crime, and many survivors never report what happened to them. RAINN estimates that only about 30% of survivors report the abuse to law enforcement, and only 3% of those reports lead to incarceration.
Justice is rarely served in criminal sexual assault cases, but civil law provides an avenue for holding abusers accountable.
Helping Survivors Hold Individuals and Institutions Accountable for Sexual Violence
ASK LLP is a national law firm that specializes in helping individuals injured by sexual abuse seek justice and compensation for their wounds. Our team of experienced sex abuse practice lawyers has helped thousands of survivors hold abusive individuals and institutions accountable.
We believe that all survivors deserve to be treated with respect and dignity, and we are committed to working tirelessly to ensure that they get the justice they deserve. ASK LLP’s experienced attorneys thoroughly investigate abusive institutions and individuals and ensure that survivors understand their options for civil action against those responsible for abuse. When you are ready to share your story, we are ready to listen — this April and beyond.