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Sexual Assault Awareness Month

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, also known as SAAM. This is an annual campaign to raise awareness around sexual violence, and educate on how to create safer communities, while making space for survivors to heal.

  • published: 2022/03/30
  • contact: Alex Pecoraro - Gender and Sexuality Resource Center
  • email: apecoraro@unomaha.edu
Sexual Assault Awareness ribbons

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Awareness Month Events


April 7 | Take Back the Night Poster Making Session

MBSC Chancellor's Room from 1 to 3 P.M.

In this workshop Poster Making Session, students will be given the opportunity to create posters for the march portion of the event. Posterboard, markers, and yardsticks will be available to the first 50 students to attend the workshop, as well as survivor pins for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence.

April 11-15 | “What were you wearing?” Survivor Art Installation

MBSC Nebraska Room from 10 A.M. to 5 P.M.

The installation provides a tangible response to one of our culture's most pervasive rape myths. We ask participants to understand that the violence was never about clothing and the act of shedding those clothes does not always bring peace or comfort to survivors. The installation will provide insight into students' lived experiences and show through different stories and displays that clothing does not cause violence.

Reception: April 12, 11 A.M. - 2 P.M.

April 15 | Take Back the Night, Keynote Le Racha Simon

Memorial Park from 6:30 to 8:30 P.M.

Take Back the Night is an international event with the goal of raising awareness and ultimately ending sexual, relationship, and domestic violence. Participants will be “Taking Back the Night” as they march from UNO to Memorial Park. Followed by speeches from campus and community resources, student speakers, and guest keynote speaker Le Racha Simon. The night will include a candlelight vigil to show support for survivors and victims of sexual violence, relationship violence, and sexual abuse, and a pledge to commit to working to end sexual violence.

April 18 | Expressive Art Processes with Betsy Funk, LCSW, LIMHP, MPA, REAT

MBSC Dodge Room from 6:30 - 8:30 P.M.

Participants will be invited into a safe space with others in order to use the Expressive Arts to explore their own strength and resiliency in the face of adversity. The process will involve a welcoming circle, guided mediation, an art-making process, reflection time, sharing opportunity, and, finally, a silent witness and a gallery walk of the participants' artwork. This event will be led and guided by Betsy Funk, a Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and a Registered Expressive Arts Therapist.

Register to Attend

April 22-28 | Flag Awareness Campaign

Pep Bowl

This display aims to raise awareness and educate about the prevalence of sexual assault through a flag campaign. Nearly 2,650 blue flags will be placed, and they are a visual representation of common statistics representing survivors of sexual violence. The campaign will also create opportunities for students to learn about intervention techniques and connect to community and campus resources.

April 27 | Denim Day

Denim Day takes place on the last Wednesday of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, April 27. This day of action and awareness is an event in which people are encouraged to wear denim to combat victim-blaming and educate others about sexual violence.


Related Resources

Gender and Sexuality Resource Center

Victim and Survivor Advocacy and Resources

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