History

In the late 1970s, women in England held protests against the violence they encountered as they walked the streets at night. They called them Take Back the Night marches. Word spread to other countries as the protests grew and in 1978, San Francisco and New York City held the first Take Back the Night events in the U.S. In the early 1980s, activists used October to raise awareness of violence against women. Domestic violence awareness became the main focus, but sexual assault advocates looked for a separate time to focus attention on sexual assault issues. In April 2001, the U.S. first observed National Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM).

Campaign goals

This year, The SAAM 2015 Campaign focuses on preventing sexual violence on college campuses.  The goals of this campaign are to:

  • Provide steps of action to health care professionals, faculty, staff and campus administrators
  • Educate the public about consent and healthy sexuality
  • Increase public awareness on the issue of sexual violence

How can you help?

Preventing sexual violence on campus takes more than one department, office or club. It takes all of us working together to promote healthy, respectful relationships and to create a culture of safety, equality and respect on campus. On April 7, 2015, SAAM activists will collectively engage communities to end sexual violence and ensure safer campuses and brighter futures.  How can you help?

How the Florida Network helps

The Florida Network of Youth and Family Services has member agencies that provide counseling and support services to persons in crisis who have experienced any kind of sexual abuse. If you or someone you know is a victim of sexual violence please visit our website at www.floridanetwork.org or call us at (850) 922-4324.

Notable organizations involved in the effort to end sexual violence