Sexual Assault Awareness Month

In the month of April, we recognize Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) calling our attention to the fact that sexual abuse, assault, and harassment are widespread and impact every person and community.  In fact, researchers have found that that more than 90% of people with intellectual disabilities will experience some form of sexual abuse at some time in their lives.  Of those 90%, the majority reported that this abuse was ongoing - meaning it occurred more than one time. Sadly only 37% of individuals that experienced abuse reported it and instead suffered their trauma in silence. In an effort to help reduce and prevent sexual assault the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CD) came up with the acronym STOP SV.

Here are some practical strategies developed by the CDC to implement STOP SV:

References & Resources

CDC Guidelines: https://www.cdc.gov/sexual-violence/prevention/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/sexualviolence/prevention.html

STOP SV: CDC on preventing sexual violence:  
https://www.preventconnect.org/2016/04/stop-sv-cdc-on-preventing-sexual-violence/

National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC): https://www.nsvrc.org/

End Abuse of People with Disabilities: https://www.endabusepwd.org/n

Please check out some great resources at the CDC on this topic.

1. S: Promote Social Norms that Protect Against Violence
2. T: Teach Skills to Prevent Sexual Violence
3. O: Provide Opportunities to Empower and Support Girls and Women
4. P: Create Protective Environments
5. SV: Support Victims/Survivors to Lessen Harms