SAAM

 SAAM 2010 Wrap-Up

Lauren's Walk April 2-20 Aventura to Tallahassee.  Coverage of the event in Tallahassee featured FCASV Executive Director Jennifer Dritt. 

Lauren's Kids composed a summary of the final day of events.

The month of April has been designated as National Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM).  The goal of SAAM is to raise public awareness about sexual violence and to educate communities and individuals on how to prevent it.  The 2010 theme was "Prevent Sexual Violence on our Campuses." The National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) published a toolkit to help organizations and individuals to develop their own SAAM campaigns.   

FCASV created a Facebook Group titled Florida National Sexual Assault Awareness Month that allowed all members to view and discuss events that happened around the state.

CARE collaborated with Edison College with a tabling event in the cafeteria. Every two minutes CARE Staff rang a bell, signifying that a rape occurs once every two minutes. In addition, CARE staff delivered to each emergency room a box of cookies with teal ribbon icing (made by Publix bakery) along with scrolls of appreciation and information on topics ranging from procedures for non-reporting victims and self-care.

Sexual Assault Victim Services participated with The Women's Center and held our SAAM Event at our local Community College (Brevard Community College - BCC).  They had speakers from the community (SAVS, Women's Center, Local Law Enforcement, and Lauren Book).  There were about 50 people in attendance.  In addition to Lauren speaking at their event, they were also able to participate with Lauren on her walk.  Due to the event on the first day of her walk in Brevard, they were only able to walk with her about 4 miles.  On her second day, 2 staff members were able to walk the entire day with her.

Crisis Center of Tampa Bay and the Sexual Violence Task Force of Tampa Bay participated in TONS of activities during April. Lauren’s Walk was one of them on April 13, along with a presence at USF’s Take Back the Night, as well a wonderful community Take Back the Night on April 17, bringing out around 500 people, including 100 men! They got the downtown Tampa SunTrust building to light up TEAL for one week and have tons of great pictures and videos on YouTube from all this.

2010 SAAM Events

  Broward County Sexual Assault Treatment Center, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Contact:  Nancy Cotterman or Ana Ferrer at 954-765-4159
Website: www.broward.org/sexualassault 
Denim Day, including proclomation and celebration in the Board of County Commissioners Chamber, 2:00 p.m., Tuesday 4/27/10. Survivor art and awareness exhibit throughout the month of April in the Broward County Governmental Center lobby, located at 115 S. Andrews Ave, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301. 

Sunrise of Pasco County, Inc., Dade City, FL
Contact: Christina Bates at 352-521-3358
Website:  www.sunrisepasco.org
Walk a Mile in Her Shoes Men's March, 9:00 a.m., Saturday 3/13/10 during Founder's Day parade in downtown Zephyrhills, FL. Help raise awareness about gender violence in a fun and unique way.  Walk a Mile in Her Shoes is an opportunity for men to educate the community about a very serious subject and to rally the community to take action to prevent rape, sexual assault, and gender violence in future generations.

Speaking Out Against Rape, Inc. (SOAR), Orlando, FL
Contact: Kelli Greene at 407-898-0693
Website: www.operationfreefall.com
SOAR is hosting Operation Freefall: The Two-Mile High Stand Against Sexual Violence, sunrise to sunset, Saturday, 4/24/10 at Skydive City in Zephyrhills, FL.

Lakeview Center, Inc., Pensacola, FL
Contact: Erika Smith at 850-469-3942
Website: www.elakeviewcenter.org
Run for Their Lives 5k run/walk, 8:00 a.m.,Saturday, 4/10/10 at Pensacola Beach.  Run for Their Lives is held in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Crime Victims Rights Week. The race is followed by a post-race party with live music, an awards ceremony, and a free raffle with great door prizes.

The Salvation Army Domestic Violence & Rape Crisis Program, Panama City, FL
Contact: Shawn Taylor at 850-769-7989
Website: www.marinaciviccenter.com
The Salvation Army Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Program in Panama City will be hosting a benefit concert for SAAM featuring Christian music artist Martha Munizzi, 7:00 p.m. Friday 4/30/10.  The concert will be held at the Marina Civic Center in Panama City. Tickets are $20 each or $15 for groups of 20 or more. Tickets on sale starting 3/5/10 and can be purchased online or at the ticket office located in the Civic Center.

Quigley House, Inc., Orange Park, FL
Contact: Meredith Murphy at 984-284-0340
Website: www.quigleyhouse.org
Strike Out Violence Softball Game between the Police and Firefighters at Armstrong Park in Doctor's Inlet 4/23/10, 10:00 a.m.  Victim's Rights Ceremony at the Clay County Courthouse in Green Cove Springs.  They will have several survivors of violence share their stories during this ceremony and refreshments will be provided, 5:00 p.m. 4/23/10.  Clothesline Project throughout the month of April at the Clay County Courthouse as well as displayed at several highschools. 

Women's Center of Jacksonville, Jacksonville, FL
Contact: Tina Vaughn at 904-722-3000 ext. 209
Website: WomensCenterOfJax.org
Sexual Assault Awareness Month Kick-Off as the Women's Center of Jacksonville partners with the University of North Florida's Women's Center.  There will be a Proclamation reading and campus tabling where both Women's Centers will have awareness materials available for the student population on April 1st.  SAAM kickoff event at the Jacksonville Police Memorial Building. Attendees include members of the Sheriff's Office, local media, prosecutors, victim service agencies and political leaders.  This year, talking points will address the national theme of preventing violence on college campuses. In the evening, the Women's Center will host "New Beginnings", an art program consisting of art created by survivors. The event will include a survivor speak-out, in honor of survivors and their loved ones in the community, and light refreshments will be served on April 15th.  Women's Center of Jacksonville will also be hosting a FREE film screening at Five Points Theater, a local establishment, and a discussion panel, including local survivors and activists, will follow the film presentation on April 29th.

Orange County Victim Services, Orlando, FL
Contact: Danielle Kapusin at 407-644-2577
Website:  www.victimservicecenter.com
Denim Day April 20. Wear denim jeans and a teal ribbon to show your support of a community free of sexual violence.  Businesses may consider collecting donations from staff who wear denim to benefit the VSC .  UnderAWARE Underware Drive. The VSC provides replacement underwear and clothing for every individual who has theirs taken as evidence when receiving services at the Sexual Assault Treatment Center.  Donate unopened packages of underwear to Orange County Victim Services at 1801 Lee Road, Suite 165 Winter Park, FL 32789 Monday-Friday 8:00-5:00.  Everyone who visits the VSC to donate underwear during the month of April will receive a coupon for a free starter or glass of wine at Urban Flats!

Palm Beach County Victim Services, West Palm Beach, FL
Contact: Sandy Reynolds at 561-355-2418
Action Day on FAU Boca Raton Campus 11-1 advocates will be available in the breezeway between the library and cafeteria.  Panel discussion with community professionals 5:30-6:30 Bldg. SO12.

Ocala-Marion County Sexual Assault Center, Ocala, FL
Contact:  Stephanie Kary at 850-622-8495
3rd Annual Day of Sharing Friday, April 23rd.  This donation drive is for needed items for the sexual violence shelter in Ocala. 

Information on Past SAAM Events