Sexual Assault Awareness Month/April 2024

Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) is dedicated to raising community awareness about sexual assault and educating the public on how to prevent sexual violence and support survivors.

Teal Day, Tuesday, April 2nd

Proclamations by County Commissioners

Holmes County Commissioners

Monday, April 1st, 2024

Wayne County Commissioners

Wednesday, April 3rd

Photovoice Project

SAAM Library Books

There are SAAM displays with book lists in each of the Wayne County Public Library branches and the book list is also available on the WCPL website:

Denim Day, April 24th

For 21+ years, supporters have engaged in wearing jeans as a form of protect against an all- too-common issue of
victim blaming, after “a rape conviction was overturned because the justices felt that since the victim wore tight jeans, she must have helped the person who raped her remove them, thereby implying consent.”
Make a social statement by wearing jeans with a purpose today as a visible protest against victim blaming.

2024 SAAM Activities Calendar

SAAM Blog

OneEighty, a private, non-profit organization whose mission is to help people change direction in Wayne and Holmes Counties, is dedicated to the prevention and intervention of domestic violence and sexual assault through education, community outreach, and victim advocacy.  They offer comprehensive and compassionate services for survivors.

• Another American is sexually assaulted every sixty-eight seconds.
• Approximately 66% of rape victims are younger than eighteen, with approximately 34% under age twelve.
• Over 53% of women and over 29% of men reported experiencing contact sexual violence in their lifetime.
• Rape and sexual assault affect women, children, and men of all racial, cultural, and economic backgrounds.
• Eight out of ten (80%) sexual assaults are committed by someone known to the victim.
• Emotional and physical trauma resulting from sexual violence is often severe and long lasting; victims can have such adverse consequences as post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse, major depression, homelessness, eating disorders, and suicide, causing survivors to suffer from emotional scars long after the physical wounds have healed.

If you or someone you know is a victim of sexual violence needs assistance, call the OneEighty 24 – Hour Hotline:

1.800.686.1122

For survivors that aren’t sure where to go for assistance immediately following an assault or even months or years later, OneEighty can help.  Victim advocates are social workers that specialize in supporting victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.

For those community members seeking professional mental health services, OneEighty also offers counseling services by a staff of licensed clinical therapists. The agency accepts most insurance, including Medicare and Medicaid, and offers a sliding fee schedule for Wayne County residents.

OneEighty is dedicated to the prevention of sexual violence through its education, community outreach, and victim advocacy efforts. The agency’s trained staff offers comprehensive and compassionate services for survivors.

Presentations Available

Additionally, the Community Relations and Prevention Department conducts numerous presentations in the community, upon request.  The staff works with volunteer groups, churches, public and private schools, colleges, community groups, social service organizations, law enforcement, and businesses with the goal of spreading the word about the breadth of services the agency offers, the importance of sexual assault, domestic violence, human trafficking, and stalking prevention, and to dispel myths and share current information.  If you are interested in scheduling a presentation, please contact Gayle Byrne at byrneg@one-eighty.org

There is a display in the reception area at OneEighty (104 Spink Street). Stop by and pick up a magnet, bookmark, adult coloring pages, teal ribbon stickers, and the 2024 SAAM Activities Calendar.

You may wonder what you can do individually to impact the effort to prevent sexual violence and to support survivors.  You can do a lot:  Lift your voice by speaking up when you hear victim blaming. Shut down rape jokes. Correct harmful misconceptions. Promote everyday consent.  And practice healthy communication with children.

If you have questions regarding how to seek support such as medical attention or emergency shelter, please call OneEighty’s 24-hour Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-686-1122 or the National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-4673 (NNEDV). OneEighty’s main office phone number is 330.264.8498 to schedule an appointment with a victim advocate or mental health counselor.