April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

by | Mar 13, 2025 | Sexual Assault

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month! 

 

This year’s national theme is “Together We Act. United We Change.” Operation Care joins the National Sexual Violence Resource Center in bringing awareness to this very important topic. This theme highlights the importance of working together to address and prevent sexual abuse, assault, and harassment.

This campaign focuses on enhancing public understanding of sexual violence, amplifying the voices of survivors, and empowering us to work together to promote the safety and well-being of others. Everyone in our communities deserves to live in safe and supportive environments where they are treated with respect. When our workplaces, schools, and communities work together to uphold safety and respect, we make progress in preventing sexual abuse, assault, and harassment.. To learn more about this campaign, visit www.nsvrc.org.

 

 

What is Sexual Violence?  

Sexual violence is an umbrella term that includes any type of unwanted sexual contact — including sexual assault, harassment, and abuse.

Forms of sexual violence include:

  • Rape or sexual assault
  • Sexual harassment
  • Sexual abuse
  • Unwanted sexual contact/touching
  • Sexual exploitation and trafficking,
  • Exposing one’s genitals or naked body to others without consent,
  • Nonconsensual image sharing
  • Words and actions of a sexual nature against a person’s will and without their consent
  • Sexual violence represents a range of behaviors

 

 

 

 

How Can You Help?

 

 

KNOW MORE

Understanding the warning signs or red flags for domestic violence, sexual assault and abuse is a critical first step in addressing and preventing these crimes.  

STAND WITH SURVIVORS

If someone discloses that they have or are being abused let them know that the abuse is not their fault. It may be difficult for them to talk about the abuse but you don’t need to be an expert, you just need to be a friend. Reassure them that they are not alone, they are not to blame for what happened and that there is help and support out there. Help them to contact Operation Care at 209-223-2600 for an advocate to support their needs and safety.

SPEAK UP

Challenge comments that blame the victim for what has happened to them by letting your friends know that blaming the victim is inappropriate and offensive and encouraging them to consider why society questions the victim’s behavior rather than the perpetrator’s behavior. Learn how you can safely step in and speak up when you’re witnessing behavior that may put someone in danger.

 

We encourage Amador County residents to participate by wearing teal, the national color for SAAM, and to help us promote sexual assault awareness during the month of April by joining us in any or all of the following ways:

 

Wear Teal Color: 

 

 

Teal is the national color of sexual assault awareness month. Operation Care encourages community members to wear teal during the month of April to spread awareness and begin the discussion about sexual assault.

Baskets filled with SAAM items can be found at various locations throughout the county. Spread the word and invite your friends and family to show their support by speaking up against sexual violence.

For the locations of the baskets or if you are interested in having a baskets of sexual assault awareness items at your business or office please contact our us at 209.223.2897 and we will gladly provide FREE teal sexual assault awareness items!

 

 

 

Join Us April 30, 2025 for Denim Day: 

  • Operation Care encourages the community to wear jeans on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, to raise awareness about sexual assault and show support for victims of sexual assault. We will be having a booth at Petkovich Park on Wednesday April 30th from 10-2 p.m.  Please stop by, learn more about Operation Care and meet some of our advocates.
  • Denim Day was established in 1996 when a rape case was overturned by the Italian Supreme Court. In this case, the perpetrator, who had been previously convicted for sexual assault, argued that because the victim was wearing tight jeans she must have helped the perpetrator take off her pants during her assault, therefore making it consensual. This decision created a widespread campaign known as “Denim Day” in which jeans are worn on the last Wednesday of April to protest sexual violence. Learn more about denim day here.

 

 

 

 April 6-12, 2025
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week

 

Since 1981, National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW) has challenged the Nation to confront and remove barriers to achieving justice for all victims of crime. During NCVRW, we recognize the accomplishments of the victims’ rights movement and reflect on how far we have come.

Every April, Victim Witness and Op Care gather to observe NCVRW.  This year’s theme is Connecting with Kinship and Healing and the purpose is to unite crime survivors, victim assistance professionals, justice professionals, and communities across America to pay tribute to victims and promote their rights. 

  • The Key Message: The theme “KINSHIP” emphasizes that shared humanity should be at the center of supporting all survivors and victims of crime, driving vital connections and increasing access to services, rights, and healing. 

 

For more information on National Crime Victims’ Rights Week CLICK HERE