National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month
Posted by Danielle in 
April is National Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) and this year’s theme is “It’s time … to get involved.” It is no longer enough to be aware that sexual violence is a problem – we must be actively working towards preventing violence, supporting survivors, and holding perpetrators accountable.
This morning President Obama issued a proclamation stating that:
We must ensure our police, prosecutors, and courts treat victims with the seriousness and respect they need and deserve. We must do more to provide services that help victims recover from the trauma of sexual assault. And ultimately, we must prevent sexual assault before it happens.
How this change happens is up to us as a nation. The National Sexual Violence Resource Center has created a list of resources and talking points to start discussions on how to make this change a reality. Check it out for useful ideas and visit their calendar to find events near you.
Here at SWAN, we are making military sexual violence our priority. We are consulting on Susan Burke’s litigation on behalf of military and former military victims of Military Sexual Trauma (MST), including persons who were raped by their military colleagues. Follow the litigation’s progress here. Additionally, we are urging members of Congress to make military sexual violence a priority as well. Based on SWAN’s recommendations, Rep Pingree has introduced a bill that would make it easier for survivors of military sexual violence to receive compensation and Senator Klobuchar introduced a bill that seeks to preserve documentation of military sexual violence claims. We are excited for what is still to come – stay tuned to SWAN for updates!
SAAM 2011 Campaign – National Sexual Violence Resource Center
Presidential Proclamation: National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month – The White House
Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN)
Do you have a story to tell? Email blog@servicewomen.org!
I applaud SWAN’s efforts at prevention of MST. However, they should also take a look at what happens to those victims who seek counseling:
http://militarytimes.com/news/2011/04/military-clearances-sexual-assault-040111w/
Military sexual assault victims applying for or renewing security clearances must report any counseling received for sexual trauma, revealing intimate details to background investigators — and risking their clearance status as a result of their answers.