SAAM Blog Week One: Together We Act, United We Change

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), a time to increase public awareness of sexual violence and educate communities on prevention. In 2025, we join NSVRC’s with the theme “Together We Act, United We Change.”  This theme highlights the power of

Sexual Assault Awareness Month is a time to reflect, take action, and commit to building a future free from sexual violence. NSVRC’s 2025 theme, Together We Act, United We Change, reminds us that ending sexual violence is not an individual fight—it requires collective action, shared responsibility, and a deep commitment to justice for survivors. Each and every one of us has a role to play in creating safer, more supportive environments and preventing harm before it happens.

Survivors often turn first to their communities—not institutions—for support, safety, and healing. This is why creating strong networks of community care is so important. When we truly listen to survivors and provide tangible support like housing, food, or financial assistance, we are actively resisting the systems that often fail them. Community-led initiatives, such as survivor funds, crisis response teams, and peer support groups, create pathways for healing and resilience that institutions alone cannot provide.

This community-centered movement needs everyone. You don’t have to be a survivor to be part of the fight against sexual violence. We need educators, faith leaders, business owners, healthcare workers, and neighbors to step up, challenge harmful norms, and foster cultures of consent and accountability. We need people to have tough conversations, intervene when they see harm, and actively support policies that center survivors. Together, we can create a world where no one has to experience sexual violence — but until that vision is realized, we can ensure that those who do are met with care and unwavering solidarity.

Now is the time to act. Whether you’re organizing in your community, advocating for survivor-centered policies, or just supporting a friend in need, your role in this movement matters. Change happens when we show up for each other, not just in moments of crisis but every single day.

Written by Ellen Fiedler, MSW