Note: The following contains discussion on the history of the sexual violence movement and current awareness campaigns. If you need additional support, please see the resources available below.
Twenty-one years ago, the month of April became officially recognized as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. However, this movement began long before 2001. Movements for social change and equality became more widespread in the 1940s and 50s with the civil rights movement. These efforts were championed by Black women and women of color. Civil rights activists worked at the intersections of race-based and gender-based violence. Years later, Kimberlé Crenshaw would develop the term “intersectionality” to describe this approach. Despite being the leading force behind the movement against sexual violence, Black women are far too often left out of the conversation. Furthermore, women of color experience disproportionately high rates of violence but resources and advocacy are often not designed to adequately support them.
As part of a higher education institution, the issue of campus sexual violence is particularly relevant to our work. Sexual violence is a pervasive issue among adults ages 18-24, for both students and non-students. Educating ourselves about sexual violence and the resources on campus is one of the best ways to support the survivors in our lives and the student survivors we will meet in our work. Although April is specifically dedicated to sexual violence awareness and prevention, these efforts don’t end on April 30. We encourage you to explore the resources in your community and find ways to support local advocates and activism efforts throughout the year.
Additional information:
- National Resources for Sexual Assault Survivors and their Loved Ones - RAINN
- “Black Women Have Consistently Been Trailblazers for Social Change. Why Are They So Often Relegated to the Margins?” - Time
- “Black Women and Sexual Violence” - National Organization on Women
- “1866 to 2020: Black women have always led the Sexual Assault Awareness movement” - Equal Rights Advocate
- “A crisis of campus sexual assault” - American Psychological Association
- National Sexual Assault Hotline - RAINN
- The Aurora Center - University of Minnesota
- Directory of Crisis/Advocacy Centers in Minnesota - MNCASA
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