APRIL IS SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH
SHELTER & AGENCY NEEDS IN THE WAKE OF COVID-19
As you know, EPEC’s services remain ongoing in the midst of this global crisis, and as we serve more survivors, our needs grow as well! Please see below for current needs. Items can be dropped off Monday’s from 9 AM – 2 PM at our main office address: 236 West Martin Street, Martinsburg, WV 25401. Just stop by, drop the items on the porch, and ring the bell! We will come our and (distantly) grab them and relay our thanks! They can also be shipped to 236 West Martin Street, Martinsburg, WV 25401. Thank you for your continued support for survivors in our community!
- Deodorant
- Body lotion
- Microwavable meals and nonperishable food (we have many survivors sheltered in hotels)
- Laundry Detergent
- Cleaning supplies (any and all, please! including Lysol wipes/spray, etc)
- Tye Dye kits
- Arts and craft kits
I ASK: Sexual Assault Awareness Month 2020
SAAM: A History
By the 1980s these sexual assault awareness activities had expanded to include the issue of violence against women. It wasn’t long before these activities expanded even more and encompassed violence against men, and
males began participating to raise awareness. In the late 1980s, the National Coalition Against Sexual Assault began developing interest in selecting a designated time period to promote awareness. An informal poll of sexual assault coalition agencies revealed that April would be a suitable month, and the national Sexual Assault Awareness Week was established. It wasn’t until the late 1990s that this week was expanded to an entire month. In April of 2001, SAAM.
Each year the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) works to
coordinate SAAM activities nationwide. The organization provides resources to advocates nationwide to help them plan and facilitate their programs during the month.
The historical information is from the NSVRC’s “How We Got Here, A History of Sexual Assault Awareness Month” page.
- Reach out during this critical time – survivors of trauma may experience unexpected triggers during a stressful time such as a pandemic. Send a text or message through social media to ask how the survivors in your life are doing.
- Share self-care reminders and support – no one is immune from the mental health impacts of this crisis — and for those who have a history of trauma, this time is all the more challenging. If a survivor in your life is looking for resources and support beyond what you can provide, you can encourage them to reach out for help online.
- Practice and model digital consent – As we spend more of our time connecting through our devices, it’s important to practice digital consent. When someone shares something with you over a device, whether it’s a photo or a personal story, it’s important to ask permission before sharing with others.
- Share messages of support in physical and digital spaces – Create your own “I Believe Survivors” posters, wear and decorate with teal. You can turn your social spaces teal and use your online platform to shut down posts that promote rape culture or are inappropriate or untrue.
- Donate to your local rape crisis center (EPEC is yours!) – According to a survey of local programs by the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence, 40% of programs have seen an increase in demand for services since COVID-19.
- Share hope (and hardship) – The survivors in our lives need hope right now and always, but they also need us to recognize how hard this situation is and the unique ways they may be struggling. Survivors also need us to see their struggle, to see and acknowledge the challenges and negative emotions they are facing, to see the load they are carrying, not with the goal of taking it away, but to remind them of their strength and resilience.
These tips are courtesy of Laura Palumbo and Susan Sullivan of the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC).
UPCOMING EVENTS
- April 2020. Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Keep connected through out social media. We’ll be sharing tips, facts, and other talking points that you can use during SAAM and all year long!
- April/May 2020. EPEC’s digital support group is live every Monday @ 6 PM and Wednesday @ 2 PM. See information below for details.
- April 29. Denim Day – Wear your denim. Don’t know what Denim Day is? Click here.
- May 17. The SAAM Jam, a virtual benefit concert in observance of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Watch our Facebook page for details. The event will stream from 6-8 PM.
