White Plains, NY — April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM)—and this year marks a milestone: the 25th anniversary of the national campaign, celebrated under the theme "25 Years Stronger: Looking Back, Moving Forward." At AWK Survivor Advocates , we believe awareness without action is just noise. This April, we're calling on our community—survivors, families, allies, colleagues, and neighbors—to turn that awareness into something tangible. Whether you post a photo, wear a color, donate $10, or share a hotline number, every single action matters.
Here's how you can show up for survivors this month and beyond.
Why taking action during SAAM matters
Sexual violence is not a rare, isolated tragedy. It is a pervasive public health crisis that touches virtually every family, school, workplace, and community in America. Despite 25 years of growing awareness:
- Most sexual assaults are still never reported.
- Survivors continue to face disbelief, victim‑blaming, and institutional silence.
- Underfunded crisis centers struggle to meet demand for counseling, advocacy, and legal support.
SAAM exists to break through that silence—and taking action, even in small ways, tells survivors they are not alone and that their community stands with them.
This year's theme honors the progress made over 25 years while acknowledging the work that remains. Looking back means honoring survivors who came forward and changed laws, cultures, and institutions. Moving forward means you—right now, this April—committing to be part of the change.
Wear teal: a small gesture with a big message
The simplest and most visible action you can take during SAAM is wearing teal—the official color of sexual violence awareness and prevention.
Why teal?
When the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) launched SAAM in the early 2000s, sexual violence coalitions across the country were polled on their preferred color and symbol. The result was clear: a teal ribbon, representing trust, healing, resilience, and the commitment to believe survivors.
By wearing teal, you send a visible, wordless signal: "I support survivors. I am a safe person to talk to."
When to wear teal in 2026
- SAAM Day of Action – April 7: The first Tuesday of every April is the Day of Action, when communities nationwide coordinate highly visible shows of solidarity. Wear teal, post a selfie, and use #SAAM2026 and #SAAMDayofAction.
- Denim Day – April 29: A global awareness day rooted in a powerful court case where a survivor's clothing was used to question her credibility. Wear denim in solidarity and protest against victim‑blaming myths.
- All of April: You don't need a specific date to wear teal. Any day you wear it, you're part of the message.
Ideas for going beyond just wearing teal
- Pin a teal ribbon to your jacket, bag, or lanyard.
- Decorate your desk, classroom, or office with teal to invite conversations about SAAM.
- Encourage your team, class, or organization to wear teal together and post a group photo.
Share educational resources on social media
Social media is one of the most powerful tools available for shifting public understanding—and one of the most low‑effort ways to make a real difference during SAAM.
NSVRC's official SAAM 2026 toolkit
The National Sexual Violence Resource Center provides a free, downloadable social media toolkit at nsvrc.org/saam‑2026 with ready‑to‑use graphics, sample posts, and fact sheets you can share directly. Everything is designed to be accessible, accurate, and survivor‑centered.
Official 2026 hashtags to use
When you post, include:
- #SAAM2026 – the primary campaign hashtag
- #25YearsStronger – honoring the milestone anniversary
- #LookingBackMovingForward – the official theme
- #30DaysofSAAM – for the Instagram challenge (see below)
- #SupportSurvivors and #PreventionIsPossible – broader movement tags
The #30DaysofSAAM Instagram challenge
NSVRC's #30DaysofSAAM challenge invites participants to post one SAAM‑related action, resource, or message every day throughout April. It's designed to be flexible: you can use their official prompts, share your own reflections, or simply amplify content from crisis centers and advocacy organizations in your area.
Key content to share all month
Not sure what to post? Here are high‑impact pieces of content to share:
- Statistics (framed supportively, not sensationally): "1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men experience sexual violence in their lifetime. If you or someone you know needs help, RAINN is available 24/7 at 800‑656‑HOPE."
- Hotline information:
- RAINN: 800‑656‑HOPE (4673) | rainn.org
- National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1‑888‑373‑7888 or text "BeFree" to 233733
- NSVRC resource finder: nsvrc.org/survivors
- Myth‑busting messages: Share content that challenges common misconceptions—about false reporting rates, what survivors "should" look like, why people don't immediately disclose, or what consent actually means.
- Survivor‑led voices: Amplify essays, interviews, or accounts from survivors who have chosen to share publicly. Centering survivor voices is always more powerful than talking about them.
- Legal resources and rights: Share posts explaining revival windows, lookback statutes, and survivor rights in civil law—particularly for communities where survivors may not know legal options exist.
Donate to survivor advocacy organizations
Crisis centers, hotlines, and survivor advocacy organizations are chronically underfunded—and April donations have an outsized impact because many use SAAM to launch fundraising campaigns.
Who to support
Here are key organizations doing critical work:
- National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC): nsvrc.org/donate
Leads SAAM nationally, develops free resources for advocates, educators, and communities, and works on policy and prevention. Employer gift‑matching programs are often available. - RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network): rainn.org
Operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline, connects survivors with local resources, and advocates for survivor‑focused policy. - Take Back the Night Foundation: takebackthenight.org
Supports survivor healing events and free legal information resources for people affected by sexual violence. - Your local rape crisis center:
Funds that stay local have the most direct impact—paying for free counseling sessions, crisis hotline staff, medical advocacy, and court accompaniment in your community. Find your nearest center through nsvrc.org or rainn.org.
Ways to give beyond writing a check
- Employer gift matching: Many companies match charitable donations dollar‑for‑dollar. Check your HR portal—it may double your impact instantly.
- Monthly giving: A recurring gift of even $10–$25/month provides organizations with the predictable funding they need to plan long‑term.
- Event fundraising: Set up a fundraising page for a SAAM event (walk, run, bake sale, virtual challenge) and invite friends and family to support.
- Donate supplies: Many local crisis centers have wish lists for practical needs—toiletries, gift cards, clothing for survivors who arrive with nothing.
Participate in local SAAM events
SAAM is most powerful when it lives in communities, not just on screens. Organizations across the country host events every April—and showing up in person matters.
Types of events to look for
- Awareness walks and runs benefiting local crisis centers or national organizations.
- Candlelight vigils and survivor memorials honoring those who have been lost or harmed by sexual violence.
- Educational workshops and panel discussions at schools, universities, churches, libraries, and community centers, focused on prevention, consent, bystander intervention, or survivor rights.
- Take Back the Night events, which combine rallies, community marches, and speak‑outs where survivors who choose to can share their stories publicly.
- Fundraising events hosted by organizations or law firms in partnership with local crisis centers.
How to find events near you
- Check the websites of local rape crisis centers, YWCAs, domestic violence organizations, and family justice centers.
- Search "SAAM events [your city]" or browse nsvrc.org's community section.
- Follow local advocacy organizations on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, where events are usually posted throughout the month.
Host your own
If there isn't an event near you, you can create one:
- A casual teal‑themed gathering at your home, workplace, or place of worship.
- A "lunch and learn" at your office or school featuring a speaker from a local crisis center.
- A community resource table at a farmers market, fair, or neighborhood event.
- A social media "takeover day" where your organization posts all SAAM content to amplify the cause.
How AWK Survivor Advocates is taking action this April
At AWK Survivor Advocates , we don't just observe SAAM—we act on it. This April, our team is:
- Sharing weekly SAAM educational content across our platforms, including legal rights survivors may not know they have—like open lookback windows, the Child Victims Act, and NYC's Gender‑Motivated Violence Act revival window.
- Connecting survivors and families with free legal consultations to assess civil options while time‑sensitive windows remain open.
- Supporting local crisis centers and survivor‑led organizations in our communities.
- Wearing teal and encouraging everyone in our network to do the same.
We also invite you to share AWK Survivor Advocates educational blogs and legal resource posts throughout April. If someone in your network was harmed and has never explored their legal options, a share could be the nudge that changes their life.
Every action counts—start today
Sexual Assault Awareness Month gives us 30 days—and SAAM 2026 gives us 25 years of momentum—to build a world where survivors are believed, abusers are held accountable, and communities actively work to prevent sexual violence before it begins.
You don't have to do everything. Pick one action from this list and commit to it this week:
- Wear teal tomorrow.
- Post a hotline number today.
- Donate $25 to your local crisis center.
- Share one fact about SAAM on your social media.
- Text a friend who works with survivors: "I see the work you do. Thank you."
Together, we act. United, we change.
Resources to share:
RAINN Hotline: 800‑656‑HOPE (4673) | rainn.org
NSVRC SAAM 2026: nsvrc.org/saam‑2026
NSVRC Survivor Resources: nsvrc.org/survivors
National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1‑888‑373‑7888