Designated as Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), April brings an annual opportunity to focus awareness on sexual violence and its prevention. SAAM raises awareness of sexual violence and its prevention through special events while highlighting sexual violence as a major public health issue and reinforces the need for prevention efforts.

The National Sexual Violence Resource Center has identified Thursday, April 3, 2008 as the national day to focus on sexual violence prevention. On this day, workplaces and communities are encouraged to participate in an awareness-raising or prevention activity.

Listed below are some ways Arizonans are recognizing SAAM.

Maricopa County

April 3: Day to End Sexual Violence at the Capitol, Arizona State Capitol, 11am - 5pm. STAND & SERVE members from across Maricopa County will provide outreach to legislators and community members by hosting a discussion for Arizona House and Senate Representatives and a labyrinth with educational materials and resources. Contact Jennifer Rauhouse.

April 11: Focus Fridays, Westside Community Center, 4-6pm. STAND & SERVE members will participate in a school, family and community educational session designed to End Sexual Violence. Contact Jennifer Rauhouse.

April 14-18: STAND & SERVE members from 11 schools across Maricopa County will participate in a week of SAAM outreach activities. Contact Jennifer Rauhouse.

April 16: Take Back the Night at ASU (PDF), Palo Verde Beach, 6pm - 9pm. For more information, contact Lauryn Vosburgh or call 480-727-0505.

Tucson

April 15: 3rd Annual Youth Take Back the Night (PDF), Catalina Park, 900 N. 4th Ave., 6-9pm. Contact Audrey Ching or visit the Southern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault website for more information.

April 16: Dine Out for Safety, SACASA fundraiser. Various locations; see website for more information.

April 17: Showing of "Trained in the Ways of Men," a documentary about the murder of transgender woman Gwen Araujo, Wingspan, 425 E. 7th St., 6pm. Following the film will be a discussion about sexual violence from a queer perspective. Contact Madeline Porta or call 624-1779, x128.

April 18: Su Voz Vale - Your Voice Counts 10th anniversary celebration (call 520-434-0195 for information)

Note: Activities are listed here as a service to encourage public awareness in Arizona and are not sponsored or endorsed by SVPEP, ADHS, or the CDC. For information about the events, please contact the sponsoring agency. To contact SVPEP, please email svpep@email.arizona.edu.

Updated 03/27/08