Join us this April for Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month to speak up on behalf of survivors everywhere and speak out against sexual assault and abuse!
In the US, 1 in 2 women and 1 in 5 men have experienced some form of sexual violence in their lives, but you have the power to help change that. Here are some things you can do to support survivors and join the fight against sexual violence:
1) Come to our SAAM events this month!
- April 2nd: Rally against sexual violence, Park Square, Pittsfield, 4-6pm
April 6th: Trivia night fundraiser, Thistle and Mirth, Pittsfield, 7-9pm- April 16th: “Sexual Assault: Myths and Realities” Forum, Berkshire Community College (BCC), 12:15-1:15pm
- April 16th: Rally against sexual violence, City Hall, North Adams, 4-6pm
- April 19th: Take Back the Mic spoken word/open mic event, Mission Bar and Tapas, Pittsfield, 6:30-8:30pm
- April 23rd: Rally against sexual violence, across from the Mahaiwe, Great Barrington, 4-6pm
Plus look for our month-long Cup of Prevention campaign in coffee shops throughout the county, our Speak Up bystander campaign in local bars, displays in public libraries across the county, events in area schools, appearances on TV and radio, daily posts on our Facebook page, and more!
2) Stop by to visit our Pittsfield office. All this month, the lawn of our Pittsfield office will have 255 blue flags on it, one for each of the survivors of sexual violence we served last year.
3) Share the EFC 24/7 Hotline number: (866) 401-2425. It’s never too late to let a friend know you care, and it’s never too late to get help.
4) Be an active bystander, stepping in or speaking out if people around you are exhibiting predatory behaviors, or threatening or demeaning others through their speech or actions.
5) Like us on Facebook and sign up for our monthly newsletter (at the bottom left of our website) to stay updated on our events.
6) Learn more about sexual violence, victim blaming, rape culture, and the amazing things people are doing to end them.
(Good places to start: http://projectunbreakable.tumblr.com/ and
http://everydayfeminism.com/2014/03/examples-of-rape-culture).
7) Donate to EFC so we can continue to provide hope, help, and healing to all survivors of sexual violence in our community.
8) For all survivors out there, know: it’s not your fault, we believe you, and you are not alone!
