Featuring Women of the Sexual Violence Prevention Movement for Women’s History Month 2025
March is Women’s History Month. Women have historically and modernly advocated for safer communities, free of violence of all kinds, including sexual violence. Women have used their voices, communities, experiences, and strength to lift up survivors, catalyze legal protections, and inform societal perceptions around sexual violence. Learn about a few of the many advocates throughout time who have dedicated their expertise and lives to preventing sexual violence.
Recy Taylor
In 1944, Recy Taylor’s life changed when she was abducted and sexually assaulted by a group of white men while walking home from church in the Jim Crow South. Despite the men’s confession, the authorities refused to bring justice. In response to growing outrage, Rosa Parks and other activists rallied for a grand jury investigation. Recy Taylor endured threats and intimidation but refused to stay silent. Her bravery in testifying against her attackers marked an early moment in the fight for justice for survivors of sexual violence. Though the courts failed her, her courage continues to resonate with survivors today. In 2011, the Alabama Legislature issued a formal apology for their failure to prosecute Taylor’s attackers.
Rosa Parks
While Rosa Parks is best known for her role in the civil rights movement, her activism also extended to issues of sexual violence. After the Recy Taylor case, she became involved in advocating for Taylor’s justice and for raising awareness about the sexual violence that Black women faced. Her activism paved the way for many others to speak out and demand justice for victims of sexual violence.
Susan Brownmiller
Susan Brownmiller’s groundbreaking book, Against Our Will: Men, Women, and Rape, published in 1975, transformed social perceptions about sexual violence. Through comprehensive historical analysis, Brownmiller examined the cultural, social, and political factors that perpetuate sexual violence. She introduced the term “date rape,” which helped change the conversation around consent and sexual assault. Her work remains a touchstone in understanding sexual violence and continues to influence both activists and policymakers.
Mary P. Koss
Mary P. Koss’s landmark 1987 study, The Scope of Rape: Incidence and Prevalence of Sexual Aggression and Victimization in a National Sample of Higher Education Students, was the first large-scale survey on sexual violence prevalence on college campuses. Her research, which revealed the startling frequency of sexual violence, has had a lasting impact on policies and practices related to campus safety. Koss’s development of the concept of “rape culture” also helped shed light on the societal conditions that perpetuate sexual violence, informing a broader movement for change.
Amanda Nguyen
In 2016, Amanda Nguyen authored the Sexual Assault Survivors’ Bill of Rights, which was signed into law by President Obama. As the founder of Rise, a nonprofit organization dedicated to codifying civil rights, Nguyen has tirelessly fought for the rights of sexual assault survivors. She also authored the Survivors’ Resolution, passed through the United Nations General Assembly. Her advocacy extends beyond legislation, igniting global movements to stop sexual violence and, more recently, to combat hate toward Asian communities in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tarana Burke
Tarana Burke, an activist and advocate since her teenage years, founded the #MeToo movement to bring attention to the pervasive sexual violence impacting women, particularly young Black girls. What started as a grassroots movement in Selma, Alabama, gained worldwide recognition when it went viral in 2017. Burke’s vision for a survivor-led movement continues to empower victims, providing a platform for their voices while encouraging healing and solidarity. Through her leadership, she’s helped shift the conversation on sexual violence toward justice and survivor-centered solutions.
Chanel Miller
Chanel Miller’s powerful memoir, Know My Name, published in 2019, gave a voice to her experience of sexual violence, the courtroom trauma she endured, and her journey of healing and advocacy. Miller’s courage to share her story has had a profound impact on how survivors are heard and treated in both legal and societal contexts. Through her writing and activism, she has become a prominent figure in challenging the culture of sexual violence and advocating for change.
End Note
These are just a few of the many advocates who have paved the way for sexual violence prevention. We recognize the important work that folks are doing every day, and from the local level to the national level, the work you do matters.
February is Black History Month, a time to recognize and honor the enduring contributions of Black individuals and communities. It is also an opportunity to reflect on the deep intersections between Black leadership and the movement to end sexual violence. Black advocates, survivors, and leaders have long been pioneers of the sexual violence prevention movement.
The Legacy of Black Leadership in the Anti-Violence Movement
Black women have been pivotal in challenging sexual violence, often at great personal risk. Harriet Jacobs’ Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl was one of the first published accounts to reveal the abuse endured by enslaved women, breaking the silence on a reality too often ignored.
Ida B. Wells investigated and documented the false accusations and violence that threatened Black lives, showing how these injustices were used to uphold systems of power.
Recy Taylor’s bravery in taking her attackers to court, despite their confessions going unpunished, sparked national organizing efforts led by Rosa Parks, who spent years advocating for Black survivors denied justice.
Anita Hill’s testimony against Clarence Thomas shed light on workplace harassment, opening a conversation that continues today.
Tarana Burke’s #MeToo movement amplified survivor voices worldwide, turning personal stories into a call for systemic change.
Their legacies remind us that the fight to end sexual violence is deeply rooted in history and must continue with steadfastness today.
Moving Forward Together
As we honor Black History Month, we must continue to recognize the inextricable link between Black leadership and the sexual violence prevention movement. True safety and care in our communities means ensuring that ALL survivors, including Black survivors are heard, believed, and supported.
At NCCASA, we recognize the transformative power of support services for survivors of sexual violence. Every call answered, every volunteer hour contributed, and every crisis chat initiated represents a step toward safety, healing, and empowerment.
Throughout 2023-2024, 24,374 hotline calls were answered by dedicated advocates across our State, providing survivors with immediate support, safety planning, and referrals to vital resources. These conversations create avenues of care for survivors during moments of crisis. In addition to hotline calls, 3,100 crisis/support chats expanded opportunities of access for survivors to seek help in a confidential, trauma-informed way. These numbers inform us that more individuals—especially those who may not feel safe making a phone call—can and are receiving the assistance they need.
In addition to hotline calls and online support chats, 8,577 clients received in-person or remote services from local programs, meaning that survivors are accessing comprehensive care tailored to individual needs both throughout and after crisis. Additionally, advocates provided 2,446 support groups, with 21% of these groups specifically created for children. The utilization of these groups and services reinforces the need for both continued and intentional care.
Local Programs Encourage and Facilitate Community-Building and Strength
With 161,640.96 volunteer hours logged, community members across North Carolina have shown their unwavering commitment to creating safer environments for all. Volunteers do everything from staff crisis lines to organize prevention programs, and they play an essential role in fostering healing for survivors. The sheer number of volunteers across local programs and RCCs inform us about the peoples’ willingness to show up, as well as the collective concern for creating safer communities that clearly expand much further than the walls of local programs’ walls.
Strengthening Communities Through Education and Training
Organizations provided 2,821 educational presentations about violence prevention, survivor support, and advocacy, ensuring that larger-scale impact is sustained in addition to direct care for survivors. In other words, local programs and RCCs not only recognize the importance of direct services on sexual assault response, but many of them also recognize the deeper rooted catalysts of sexual violence, for which sexual violence education is necessary for prevention. Additionally, 972 professional trainings were conducted to equip service providers, educators, and first responders with the knowledge and tools necessary to support survivors effectively further expanding the impact of local programs and RCCs on professional, economic, and community development.
These Are More Than Numbers
These services are more than just statistics—they represent survivors across our State accessing the essential services they deserve to heal and the numerous advocates, volunteers, and community members who wake up every day with a commitment to care for their community–a safer one, in fact.
When we invest in survivor support and violence prevention by funding local programs and rape crisis centers, we invest in a future where sexual violence doesn’t harm a single individual–that is our shared vision.
At NCCASA, we remain committed to uplifting these efforts and advocating for the continued funding and expansion of these life-saving services. We encourage community members to get involved—whether by volunteering, donating, or spreading awareness—so that every survivor in North Carolina continues to receive access to the support they deserve.
All data reported and sourced from Council For Women and Youth Involvement state grantees.
In the face of adversity, communities have the power to heal, unite, and create lasting change. The theme of our 2025 conference, The Power of Community, explores the vital role of community-centered approaches in supporting survivors of sexual violence and fostering collective resilience. We aim to deepen our understanding of how communities can work collaboratively to dismantle systemic barriers, nurture recovery, and implement effective prevention strategies. We invite you to join us as we examine how collective action and solidarity can pave the way for a safer, more supportive future.
Do you have an idea for an interactive & engaging workshop that explores these ideas? Please fill out this form to submit a proposal!
PROPOSAL DEADLINE: March 7, 2025
NOTIFICATION OF ACCEPTANCE: March 27, 2025
NCCASA’s conference will be in-person and held in Raleigh, NC during May 2025.
December 3rd was the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) face unique challenges in navigating sexual health and relationships, including that individuals with IDD are sexually assaulted at higher rates–up to 9 times– compared to those without IDD. Other nuanced challenges involve a lack of structural access, erasure in society and media, and systemic challenges in accessing comprehensive sexual health education. Addressing these issues comprehensively requires going beyond accommodation—it demands a shift towards inclusive practices that empower individuals with IDD to advocate for themselves and navigate complex social landscapes. Advocates for sexual violence prevention play a critical role in fostering this inclusivity by rethinking how education is delivered and tailored to diverse needs.
As mentioned, a key distinction must be made between accommodation, modification, and inclusion when designing sexual health education and prevention curricula. Specifically, accommodations involve removing barriers within existing structures, such as providing visual aids or simplified language to support understanding. Modifications go a step further, adjusting content to meet specific needs, like emphasizing safety plans or addressing the unique risks of online exploitation. Inclusion, however, integrates individuals with IDD into sexual health education frameworks without isolating or “othering” their experiences. It requires designing curricula that normalize diverse learning needs and foster universal skills such as consent, bodily autonomy, and boundary-setting. While accommodations and modifications are useful tools, the goal should be creating spaces and materials that are universally accessible and inclusive from the start.
To create inclusive practices, prevention advocates must emphasize proactive and collaborative strategies and build networks between the sexual violence prevention movement and the disability justice movement. To add, advocates should actively include individuals with IDD in conversations about their education and safety. This means not only soliciting feedback but also creating opportunities for individuals with IDD to lead workshops, share experiences, and co-design curricula. Recognizing individuals with IDD as experts in their own lives empowers them and ensures their needs and perspectives are prioritized. For more information on how to talk about sexual violence as an advocate or health professional, explore The Arc, an organization that advocates for people with IDD.
It is also necessary to address the stigma surrounding the sexual development of individuals with IDD. People with IDD experience the same biological changes and feelings as their neurotypical peers, and denying this can lead to shame and misinformation. By normalizing these experiences, advocates help create an environment where individuals feel safe seeking guidance and asking questions.
With a heightened understanding of the experience of people with IDD, advocates can better support individuals with IDD in navigating their sexual health and safety, fostering environments where they are informed, respected, and empowered.
For a specific resource on supporting survivors of human trafficking with IDD, click here.
To hear direct survivor voices and to access short training videos for professionals, focus group findings, and more, check out the “Talk About Violence” webpage from the Arc.
DONATE NOW: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s-xclick...
- Clothing
- Furniture and appliances
- Car repairs
- Equipment
- Food
- Rental/Mortgage payment/Security deposits
- Temporary housing/hotel stay
November is Native American Heritage Month, a time to honor the history, cultures, and significant contributions of Native American communities while also recognizing the challenges they continue to face. This month of celebration traces its origins back to the early 20th century, when Seneca archaeologist Dr. Arthur C. Parker advocated for a day dedicated to recognizing Native Americans. In 1916, New York became the first state to observe "American Indian Day," and in 1990, President George H.W. Bush proclaimed November as National Native American Heritage Month.
This month is also a powerful reminder that the fight for Indigenous sovereignty, reparations, and cultural preservation is ongoing. We must recognize and address how systems of oppression, including settler colonialism, continue to affect Indigenous peoples' right to freedom and well-being.
One of the most urgent public health issues in the United States is the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) epidemic. Indigenous women in the U.S. face violence at significantly higher rates than other groups, with homicide being one of the leading causes of death for Indigenous women under 44 (Urban Indian Health Institute, 2018). Due to systemic gaps in data collection, law enforcement jurisdictional challenges, and insufficient media coverage, many cases of missing and murdered Indigenous women go unreported and unresolved, contributing to a heinous cycle of inaction.
It's essential to learn from the leaders, advocates, and organizations who are shaping the movement to combat violence against Indigenous women. Community-driven efforts, such as those led by Indigenous activists, grassroots organizations, and tribal leaders, are at the forefront of raising awareness and advocating for justice. Organizations like the National Indigenous Women's Resource Center (NIWRC), Native Hope, and Urban Indian Health Institute (UIHI) work tirelessly to address gaps in data collection, support families of missing and murdered Indigenous women, and push for policy changes that protect tribal, land, and Indigenous sovereignty.
Specific to challenges around law enforcement and jurisdiction, advocates are calling for comprehensive reforms, including improved evaluation and data collection efforts, expanded federal support, and stronger interjurisdictional coordination among tribal, federal, and state law enforcement. Recently, initiatives such as Savanna's Act and the Not Invisible Act have been enacted to improve law enforcement response, though much more work remains to ensure these efforts are fully implemented, monitored, and supported.
At a community level, Indigenous-led organizations are promoting prevention through culturally grounded programs that empower women and educate communities. Some are creating databases and networks for tracking missing cases, while others are providing legal aid, mental health resources, and safe spaces for survivors and families. Healing through traditional practices, ceremonies, and community gatherings is also central to these efforts.
In order to address the MMIW crisis, it is critical for allies, policymakers, and community members to stand in solidarity, uplift and learn from Indigenous voices, and commit to action that respects tribal sovereignty and supports sustainable change. Together, we must honor those lost, support survivors, and work toward a future where Indigenous women and girls are protected, valued, and safe.
As we celebrate Native American Heritage Month, let's continue to reflect on the critical role of Indigenous leaders in creating sustainable solutions, while committing ourselves to anti-racism, cultural preservation, and solidarity with Indigenous communities. By supporting Indigenous-led movements and advocating for the rights and sovereignty of Indigenous people, we collectively move towards a more equitable and inclusive society.
To learn more about getting involved, explore the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women and the National Indigenous Women's Resource Center. These organizations, along with many others, offer resources, learning materials, programming, policy information, funding, and opportunities for advocacy.
Citations
Urban Indian Health Institute. Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls: A Snapshot of Data from 71 Urban Cities in the United States. Seattle, WA, 2018. https://www.uihi.org/resources/missing-and-murdered-indigenous-women-girls/
The Lending Library has been a long time benefit for members of NCCASA. As times have changed, we have seen less checkouts which has left our shelves full. In order to adapt to what members tell us they need, we will be clearing our shelves and moving forward we will be doing orders of books that are directly sent to your agency without having to request. To make this transition we are asking for your help to get the books we have into the hands of your agency/advocates.
For those who are not familiar with the lending library, individuals could complete a checkout form and the book was sent directly to them. While the service was called "Lending Library" there was no lending. Once the book was requested, the individual/agency could keep it.
Starting today, agencies/individuals can order as many books they would like and multiple copies. The books will be first come, first serve.
We will actively remove books as they are checked out. To begin ordering, click here.
Dear Advocates,
It is with a heavy heart that we reach out to you during this challenging time. Our state has once again faced a natural disaster.
In response, NCCASA, NCCADV, and CFWYI are collaborating to support our programs and survivors in the west. We are currently gathering information from the programs on their needs, understanding that these will become clearer as time progresses. We are committed to providing assistance and are implementing disaster relief protocols, given our state’s experience with such events.
Some programs are able to continue operating their crisis calls, while others have forwarded their lines to neighboring programs that are able to assist.
In these difficult times, it’s essential that we listen and allow those affected to communicate their needs. As you can imagine, programs impacted by Helene are navigating relief efforts and meeting the needs of the survivors they serve and the needs of their own friends and families. As a result, we ask that if you are able to offer assistance, resources, or support please reach out to one of the Coalitions and we will facilitate the connections. This will ensure the impacted programs are not overwhelmed by calls and messages during this challenging time. The exceptions would be if you are a neighboring program who could reach them with resources or you have a personal relationship with a staff member at an impacted program.
To our colleagues in the west, know that we are here for you and will continue to offer support as needed. To our colleagues in the east, we will keep you updated on how you can contribute.
Thank you for your compassion and partnership,
CFWYI, NCCASA & NCCADV