During Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM) 2023, we encourage individuals and communities across the country to come together in awareness and healing by sharing information on sexual violence and child sexual abuse material, knowing your local and national resources, joining community events, becoming an advocate, volunteering, and donating.
What is Child Sexual Abuse Material?
This year, RAINN centers its messaging on the alarming increase of child sexual abuse material around the nation. While the internet is indispensable to our lives, it does have a dark side: pictures and videos that capture the sexual abuse of children are more common, and easier to access, than ever. In 2021 alone, more than 29 million reports of suspected child sexual exploitation were reported by online platforms to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s CyberTipline, and that number is growing. Those 29 million reports included 84.9 million images and videos of CSAM.
Combating sexual violence and online dangers starts with awareness, staying vigilant, and knowing the red flags surrounding CSAM. With support from RAINN and the National Sexual Assault Hotline (NSAH), join us this year in a critical conversation on #WhatIWish to begin your healing journey - let’s #HEALTogether.
Spread the Word on Social Media: Join in our conversation of #WhatIWish
#WhatIWish is the start of a hashtag conversation that encourages reflection and holds space for all perspectives and testimonies about the dangers of CSAM online. Prompts such as #WhatIWish my younger self/parents/siblings/caregivers/policymakers knew about dangers online, will be posted and shared to bring our community together to protect children online.
Let’s #HEALTogether
#HEALTogether encourages the survivor community and their loved ones to come together in their healing from sexual violence and the dangers online. Leaning on each other during times of hardship, and during times of triumph, can provide individuals a sense of safety and belonging while healing from trauma.
Take Part in RAINN Day
RAINN Day, taking place this year on April 18th, 2023, is an annual day of awareness and action about sexual violence around the country during Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. RAINN Day is an opportunity for survivors all over the nation to know they are not alone in their healing journey. Join the conversation with hashtags #RAINNDay, #WhatIWish, and #HEALTogether.
Show Your Support on Denim Day
Denim Day—April 26—is an annual, national day of awareness that encourages participants to wear denim as a symbol of believing survivors and asserting that consent has nothing to do with your clothing.