April 13, 2019 – Washington Co., WI – April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). The goal is to raise awareness within communities about sexual violence and how to prevent sexual violence from occurring.
According to NSVRC, 2019 is the 18th year of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. One in five women and one in 71 men will be raped at some point in their lives. One in four girls and one in six boys will be sexually abused before they turn 18 years old. (Read more statistics HERE.)
On March 29, 2019, Gov. Tony Evers proclaimed Wisconsin will join the rest of the country in observing Sexual Assault Awareness Month for the month of April.
LOCAL EVENTS
Washington County has planned several events throughout the month of April.
Faith and Giggles hosted a Denim Day Paint Night, in collaboration with the Medical Center Foundation of Hartford (MCF).
Friends Inc., Washington County’s resource for domestic violence and sexual assault, is leading Denim Day in West Bend and Deb Holtan, Executive Director of MCF, hopes Denim Day can continue to grow in Washington County. “We are just trying to get more people involved and to realize the need of support that’s out there,” she said.
Aside from Denim Day, FRIENDS INC. has also created a months worth of activities and events to raise awareness for Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Events include Texas Roadhouse fundraising night (mention FRIENDS and have 10% of your bill donated), free FRIENDS coffee sleeves, and Glow Yoga. For more information on a specific event, please call 262-334-7298.
ADDITIONAL WAYS TO HELP
-Get the word out on social media by sharing this article
Teach your children about healthy relationships, consent, and speaking up if they need help
-Wear Teal on Tuesdays
-Become a local Sexual Assault Victim Advocate
-Wear jeans for Denim Day on April 24
-Support FRIENDS INC.
-Support the Medical Center Foundation of Hartford‘s education of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners
