April is observed as Sexual Assault Prevention & Awareness Month. This initiative was officially declared in 2001 by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, with the purpose of unifying state coalitions, college campuses, and community organizations in their efforts to end all forms of sexual assault, harassment, and abuse. Individuals and communities come together during this month to honor the grassroots activism that has led to systemic change in the way we recognize, prevent, and respond to sexual violence, while also advancing education and social change around present-day challenges related to this public health issue.
See the calendar of events and programs at tx.ag/IVPAwarenessMonths
Sexual assault is a type of interpersonal violence that someone can experience at any point in the life course – as a child, adolescent, young adult, adult, or as an elder. It includes but is not limited to:
In the most recent Association of American Universities Survey on Sexual Assault and Misconduct (2019), we know the following from students across participating universities and at Texas A&M who participated:
Student Life has observed this initiative for over two decades, by stewarding prevention education and awareness programming that reflects the necessary practices called upon by national organizations, educators, public health professionals, and advocates.
The resources below are available to help you build your knowledge during the month of April and throughout the year.
This Research Guide is made in collaboration with Student Life. The resources highlighted and listed have been vetted by the Substance Misuse and Violence Prevention staff and are meant to help provide accurate and helpful information surrounding the topic of the guide for all Aggies to access and use.