Each April, communities across the country come together to recognize Sexual Assault Awareness Month. It’s a time to raise our voices, support survivors, and take meaningful steps toward prevention. We are deeply grateful for every person who showed up this April. Survivors, advocates, educators, students, organizers, and community members all played a role in making SAAM 2025 a powerful example of care, resilience, and action.
This year’s theme, Together We Act, United We Change, is more than a message. It’s a reminder that change is possible when we come together with intention and compassion. It means listening, showing up, and creating space for one another. It means taking action today, knowing that a safer future depends on the choices we make now.
We are honored to highlight just a few of the many SAAM efforts that took place across the country this April.
Advocates Supporting Change Through Art, Events, and Words of Encouragement
Safe Berks – Pennsylvania
As part of our #30DaysofSAAM challenge, NSVRC collaborated with Safe Berks to promote #SAAMRocks. The prompt invited people to paint rocks with teal ribbons, affirmations, facts about sexual violence, or local hotline numbers. These small but powerful pieces were hidden in parks, walkways, and neighborhoods to spread awareness and connection. Safe Berks shared snapshots from a staff painting party and from Camp Safe Berks youth who joined in with their own creative designs.
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Rape Recovery Center – Utah
The Rape Recovery Center hosted a variety of events centered on connection, healing, and action. Their activities included a Start By Believing Day at Tooele Tech Campus and the Capitol Rotunda, a Rainbow Brunch at Encircle to uplift and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, and a “Still Not Asking For It” tattoo fundraiser with local tattoo artists. They also partnered with MenHealing for a stage reading at Westminster University that focused on supporting male survivors. Every event reflected the theme, “Together We Act, United We Change”, and helped spark honest conversations across communities.
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CARE at SARC – University of California, San Diego, California
CARE held two thoughtful and grounding events during SAAM. “Succulents for SAAM”, held in collaboration with The Zone, invited students to plant and decorate pots while learning about survivor resilience and campus resources. They also hosted a book club discussion of Chanel Miller’s Know My Name, creating space for reflection and dialogue around justice, healing, and survivor voice.
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Safer – Cal Poly, California
Safer organized a full month of programming that engaged over 2,200 students, staff, and community members. With more than 14 events, their campaign included a gender- and power-based violence symposium, campus-wide Denim Day activities, and their annual Take Back the Night walk, followed by a candlelight vigil. Their strong partnerships with Athletics, student government, faculty, and fraternity and sorority life helped ensure that their message reached every corner of campus. Their theme aligned with NSVRC’s national message, reinforcing the power of collective responsibility.
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#30DaysofSAAM: Messages of Hope, Reflection, and Action
Throughout April, our #30DaysofSAAM challenge showcased the voices and visions of survivors and advocates from across the country. Here are a few posts that moved and inspired us.
Jewish Family Services (JFS) – Wisconsin
For the SAAM Event Shout-Out prompt, JFS staff designed and hung over 300 “tiny jeans of hope” in their space. Survivors and visitors were invited to write messages of support and solidarity, creating a visual reminder that healing and hope are always within reach. Their caption read, “We are full of gratitude to do this work every day.”
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Harry S Truman High School – Bronx, New York – RAPP Program
For the “Start the Conversation Sunday” prompt, RAPP Peer Leaders shared simple, approachable ways to talk about consent, respect, and safety.
Their caption highlighted a classroom workshop on sexual violence and consent, where peer leaders facilitated a barometer exercise called “Is it consent, yes, no, or unsure?” The activity helped students explore different relationship scenarios and practice having open, respectful conversations about consent.
University of Alabama – Camellia Center
For “‘You’-nited Thursdays”, as part of “Communities Act Together” week, the University of Alabama’s Camellia Center encouraged students to reflect on how they’re supporting survivors and shared ways others can get involved.
They highlighted programs like the Women and Gender Resource Center (WGRC) Ambassadors, Greek Safe, and Not On My Campus (NOMC), which focus on education, prevention, and peer-led efforts to end sexual assault. Students were encouraged to get involved and help create safer campus spaces.
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Shelby County CVRCC – Tennessee
To close out the month, Shelby County CVRCC responded to the “One Takeaway” prompt by offering a simple but powerful message. They reminded their community that building health equity and connection is ongoing work and not just something we talk about in April.
Honoring the 2025 Visionary Voice Award Recipients
Each year, NSVRC’s Visionary Voice Awards recognize changemakers working to end sexual violence. This year, 18 individuals and organizations across the country were honored.
We’re proud to spotlight Jane Doe Inc., the Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence, who shared photos from their award celebration showcasing their awardee, Kishana Osei’s important work in the community.
See all of this year’s Visionary Voice Award recipients here.
SAAM 2025 reminded us that prevention is possible and that every voice matters, from art projects and healing-centered events to powerful social media messages. Whether you hosted a campus event, painted a rock, led a discussion, or posted a message of hope, your efforts made a difference.
To everyone who participated in this year’s campaign, thank you. The movement to end sexual violence is stronger because of you.