SAAM 2008
Sexual Asssault Awareness Day is April 3rd

Theme: Prevent Sexual Violence . . . in our Workplaces

In 2008, FCASV will be using SAAM materials and theme developed by
the National Sexual Violence Resource Center. Materials should be available later in February. For now, check out event-planning materials from SAAM 2007. For more information contact Donna Brown at FCASV.

Florida heard the voices of survivors of sexual assault
and their supporters this April.

Sexual Assault Awareness Month 2007, a state and national campaign, connected community leaders, rape crisis programs, survivors, and media in an effort to raise awareness about the realities of sexual violence.

Sexual Assault Awareness Day, April 5th, brought SAAM events of all shapes and kinds. From wellness events to kickball tournaments, from essay writing to public speak outs, rape crisis programs and universities created events with their own local flavor. In Pinellas County, Family Service Centers, Inc. held an art show entitled With These Hands, a moving collection of ornamented and painted plaster casts of survivors’ hands. Refuge House in Gadsden County hosted a Teen Safety & Prevention Celebration, raising awareness and drawing community attention with food, music, and prizes. Using dramatic interpretation, St. John’s County’s Betty Griffin House explored and debunked the many fictions about sexual violence in Moving Beyond the Myths.

The events touched attendees and many more. Across the state, media coverage – in both Spanish and English – reached Floridians in the days leading up to and following event day. rape crisis programs’ MySpace pages raised nationwide awareness via the internet.

This year also marked the first time FCASV awarded the Extraordinary Rape Crisis Worker Award, given to those who provide excellent direct service to survivors of sexual violence. The five recipients are:
Nika Boback of Ft. Myers, FL
Deborah Lyublanovits of Tampa, FL
Kathy Nichols of Lakeland, FL
Larry Reidt of Dade City, FL
Stephanie C. Woods of Sarasota, FL

Quotes from the Field:

"We were fortunate to have two survivors . . . speak. They showed great courage in sharing their stories, and brought the audience to tears. I was told by many: 'This was the best thing we could have heard.'"
–Rape Crisis Staff member, anonymous survey

Is it too much to ask
For you to come and sit?
All I need is someone to listen
While I talk about it
-Genese Chatelier, poet, age 12
Quoted in the South Ft. Myers News-Press
ACT SAAM event

"We're encouraging men to really partner up. We can't sit back and allow ending violence against women to be just a women's issue. It's a human rights issue and all of us need to be part of the equation."
–Anthony Porter, Anti-Violence Speaker and Activist
Quoted in the St. Petersburg times
Crisis Center of Tampa Bay SAAM event

This year’s SAAM theme, “More Than Words,” was created in partnership with the Florida A&M University Freshman Women’s Group.

The SAAM 2007 Theme Development Workgroup

The Florida Council Against Sexual Violence, in partnership with the Florida Department of Health, assists Florida’s rape crisis programs, universities, and other interested groups in developing successful Sexual Assault Awareness Day Events. Photos from previous SAAM events are available for your information.

Please visit our SAAM 2007 MySpace page! To learn more about creating your own SAAM MySpace page, download the MySpace Primer below.

To learn more about SAAM events on the national level, visit the National Sexual Violence Resource Center.

We are happy to provide planning tips, event ideas, and strategies for working with the media and community leaders. We invite you to download and utilize the following files to create SAAM events that reflect the unique voice of your community:

Planning and Publicizing:
Instructions
Event Planning Guide
Activities List
Label
Postcard
Ribbon Card
Flyer
Tear Off

Expanding Our Reach:
Reaching Out
Long History
Inviting Policy Makers
Letter to Community Leaders
Letter to Religious Community Members
MySpace Primer
Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) Information
Steps for Creating a SART

Working with the Media:
Writing Media Releases
Media Release
Media Advisory
Day of Event Release

Logo Files:
Black and White PNG Logo
Color PNG Logo
Black and White JPEG Logo
Color JPEG Logo
Spanish PNG Logo
Spanish GIF Logo
Spanish PDF Logo

Images from Previous SAAM Events