Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) is an annual campaign that seeks to raise awareness of sexual assault and violence through education and intervention efforts. In 2001, The National Sexual Violence Resource Center officially recognized the month of April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Over the past 24 years, SAAM has included events such as:
Take Back the Night - a movement that has since grown exponentially since the 1970s when it began advocating for safety and resources for women walking at night. These marches have been champions of victims’ rights and educating communities on consent.
Denim Day - a campaign that started after an Italian Supreme Court overturned a rape conviction because a survivor’s jeans were deemed too tight, implying that the survivor consented and helped the perpetrator remove their jeans. In response to this victim-blaming message, people showed up to work the next day wearing jeans, standing in solidarity with the survivor.
SAAM Over the DAASV Years
Over the past years, our community has actively participated in various SexualAssault Awareness Month (SAAM) events that aimed to educate, support, andempower individuals. Below are some of the highlights of the SAAM years sinceDAASV's inception.
An annual proclamation signing by the Governor during April shines light on theprevalence of sexual assault in Delaware. It recognizes the great work of our local Delaware victim service provider organizations like ContactLifeLine, Inc, theYWCA Delaware Sexual Assault Response Center (SARC), and Survivors ofAbuse in Recovery (SOAR)
2025
DAASV collaborated with the Healing Center on HURT, Black FemaleBodies, and Historical and Institutionalized Legal Sexual Violence. Insert HURTFlyer
2022
DAASV organized a series of workshops that brought together survivorsand advocates to share their stories and strategies for healing. These sessionsfocused on creating a safe space for dialogue and understanding, emphasizingthe importance of community support.
2021
A vibrant community rally took place, where we raised awareness throughart and performances. Local artists showcased their work to highlight the impactof sexual violence, while speakers from different backgrounds shared insights onprevention and support.
What is the Clothesline Project?
The Clothesline Project is a visual display, recognized nationally, of t-shirts designed by survivors, their loved ones, members of the community, and those who have lost someone from sexual violence. Each t-shirt color represents a different victimization:
- Yellow: survivors of physical assault or domestic violence
- Light Blue: survivors of incest or childhood sexual abuse
- Purple: someone who was attacked because of their sexual orientation
- Pink: survivors of rape or childhood sexual abuse
Below are the t-shirts designed for the Clothesline Project. The Delaware Alliance Against Sexual Violence stands with survivors and lifts up their voices. To protect the privacy and truth of survivors, the only thing that was covered on the shirts were full names.
These shirts may be graphic in nature and may be triggering. If you need support, please connect with the below 24/7 hotline numbers in Delaware: YWCA Sexual Assault Response Center: 800-773-8570 or ContactLifeline: 800-262-9800
