Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM)
SAAM 2025
Since 2001, the national Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) campaign has been observed every April. The goal of SAAM is to raise public awareness about sexual violence, educate communities on how to prevent it, and bolster prevention efforts throughout the year.
The theme of Sexual Assault Awareness Month 2025 is "Together We Act, United We Change." This theme highlights the power of unity in preventing sexual violence. Through awareness, advocacy, and collective action, we create safer, more respectful communities.
Wear Teal Day of Action!
The first Tuesday of every April is the SAAM Day of Action. The Day of Action is an opportunity to start off the month with highly visible and coordinated actions. Show your support for survivors of sexual violence by wearing teal — the color of sexual violence awareness. By wearing teal, you are signaling that you support Survivors and are a safe person to talk to if they need to reach out.
SAAM Day of Action/Wear Teal Day 2025 is Tuesday, April 1st!
Tag us on social media, we'd love to see you supporting Survivors in Teal! @PartnersAgainstViolence
Here Are Some Additional Ways to Take Action on April 1st!
Social Media Graphics
Download and share the graphics below on April 1st for Wear Teal Day – SAAM Day of Action!
Start By Believing
End Violence Against Women International (EVAWI) launched Start by Believing to break the cycle of silence surrounding sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking, and child sexual abuse. This powerful public awareness and action campaign is changing the way we respond to Survivors- by listening, supporting, and believing them. We invite you to join us in making the pledge to Start By Believing - a commitment to support Survivors during their journey to justice and healing.
This year "Start By Believing Day" is Wednesday, April 2, 2025!
Denim Day 2025
Denim Day is an annual awareness campaign dedicated to challenge harmful misconceptions surrounding sexual violence.
The development of Denim Day began in Italy in 1992, when an 18-year-old girl was raped by her driving instructor. Initially, the perpetrator was convicted of indecent exposure in a public place, but after an appeal by the Survivor, he was convicted of all charges and sentenced to jail. However, a few years later, the perpetrator appealed his conviction and the Italian Supreme Court overturned the rape charge, arguing that the victim’s tight jeans implied consent, as she must have helped remove them.
This outrageous ruling sparked an international protest, beginning with women in the Italian Parliament wearing jeans in solidarity. When the news reached Patti Occhiuzzo Giggans, Executive Director of Peace Over Violence in Los Angeles, she was inspired to take action. In 1999, Patti launched Denim Day, encouraging others to wear jeans as a statement against rape culture and victim-blaming.
Today, Denim Day continues as a global movement, reminding the world that clothing is never an excuse for sexual violence.
This year Denim Day is on Wednesday, April 30th!
Wear jeans to stand in solidarity with Survivors, and spread awareness.
Don't forget to tag @Partnersagainstviolence @Peaceoverviolence in your photos!
Support Survivors this Denim Day!
Join us in the fight against sexual violence by making a direct impact this Denim Day. Your donation helps provide vital support for Survivors and funds Prevention Programs that educate and empower our community.
Choose where you’d like your donation to make an impact:
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Survivor Services – Offering critical resources, advocacy, and healing opportunities for survivors.
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Prevention Program – Raising awareness and equipping the community with knowledge to prevent sexual violence.
Every donation brings us closer to a world free from violence and victim-blaming.
Donate today and make a difference!
Ruling on Tight Jeans and Rape Sets Off Anger in Italy
FACTS & STATISTICS
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In the US, over half of women and almost 1 in 3 men have experienced sexual violence involving physical contact during their lifetime #denimday
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More than 4 in 5 female rape survivors reported that they were first raped before age 25 and almost half were first raped as a minor #denimday
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Women and racial and ethnic minority groups experience a higher burden of sexual violence #denimday
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63% of sexual assaults are never reported to the police #denimday
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1 in 6 men experience abusive sexual experiences before the age of 18 #denimday
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Almost two-thirds of rapes are committed by someone the victim knows #denimday
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44% of sexual assault and rape victims are under the age of 18 #denimday
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Women who have been raped in the military have a higher rate of PTSD than men who’ve been in combat #denimday
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Around the world, 1 in 3 women will be raped or beaten in her lifetime #denimday
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Recent estimates put the lifetime cost of rape at $122,461 per survivor, including medical costs, lost productivity, criminal justice activities, and other costs #denimday