About Sexual Assault Awareness Month 2026

Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) is observed every April across the United States and increasingly around the world. Coordinated by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC), the month-long campaign raises public awareness about sexual violence, educates communities on prevention, and supports survivors. April 2026 marks the 25th anniversary of SAAM, with the theme “25 Years Stronger: Looking Back, Moving Forward.”

What is Sexual Assault Awareness Month?

Sexual Assault Awareness Month is an annual campaign dedicated to raising awareness about sexual violence — including sexual assault, harassment, and abuse — and to educating individuals and communities about how to prevent it. The NSVRC leads the national campaign each year, producing resources, toolkits, and educational materials that organisations, universities, workplaces, and advocacy groups use throughout April. SAAM centres the voices of survivors and calls on everyone to take an active role in creating safer communities.

While SAAM originated in the United States, its reach has grown considerably. Organisations in Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and other countries now hold their own events and campaigns during April, drawing on NSVRC resources or developing locally tailored programmes. The teal ribbon has become the internationally recognised symbol of sexual violence prevention and survivor solidarity.

When is Sexual Assault Awareness Month?

Sexual Assault Awareness Month takes place every April, running from 1 April to 30 April. In 2026, this means SAAM runs from Wednesday, 1 April through Thursday, 30 April. The month is a fixed observance and does not change from year to year.

The 2026 Theme: 25 Years Stronger

The 2026 campaign theme, “25 Years Stronger: Looking Back, Moving Forward,” marks a quarter-century since the NSVRC coordinated the first nationally recognised Sexual Assault Awareness Month in 2001. The theme celebrates the resilience of survivors, the progress made by advocates and communities, and the ongoing commitment to ending sexual violence. The NSVRC has encouraged organisations to reflect on the milestones achieved over the past 25 years while reaffirming the work still ahead — from addressing underreporting to closing gaps in support services for marginalised communities.

History of Sexual Assault Awareness Month

The roots of SAAM stretch back decades before its formal establishment. The first rape crisis centre in the United States opened in San Francisco in 1971, marking one of the earliest organised community responses to sexual violence. Seven years later, San Francisco also hosted the first American Take Back the Night march, a movement that spread rapidly across university campuses and cities throughout the 1970s and 1980s.

These grassroots efforts built momentum for legislative action. The passage of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) in 1994 was a watershed moment, establishing federal funding for the investigation and prosecution of violent crimes against women and creating support programmes for survivors. VAWA demonstrated that sexual violence prevention required a coordinated national effort.

The National Sexual Violence Resource Center was founded in 2000 by the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape, with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2001, the NSVRC coordinated the first official Sexual Assault Awareness Month campaign, unifying what had previously been a patchwork of local and regional events, marches, and awareness weeks held during April. Each year since, the NSVRC has selected a national theme and produced campaign materials to help organisations participate.

Over the following decades, SAAM grew in visibility and impact. The emergence of the #MeToo movement in 2017 — though not directly tied to SAAM — brought unprecedented public attention to the prevalence of sexual harassment and assault, amplifying the campaign’s message. Today, SAAM engages millions of people across social media, workplace training programmes, campus events, and community actions each April.

Key Campaigns and Symbols

Several specific campaigns and symbols are closely associated with Sexual Assault Awareness Month:

• The Teal Ribbon — Teal is the official colour of sexual violence awareness. Wearing a teal ribbon throughout April signals solidarity with survivors and support for prevention efforts. Many organisations distribute teal ribbons, pins, and wristbands during the month.
• Denim Day — Held on the last Wednesday of April (29 April 2026), Denim Day is one of the most widely recognised SAAM events. It was created by Peace Over Violence in 1999 following a controversial Italian Supreme Court ruling that overturned a rape conviction because the victim had been wearing tight jeans — the court suggested she must have helped remove them, implying consent. In protest, women in the Italian Parliament wore jeans on the steps of the Supreme Court, sparking an international movement. On Denim Day, people wear jeans as a visible statement against misconceptions about sexual violence.
• Day of Action — The NSVRC designates a specific Day of Action each April, encouraging communities to hold events such as rallies, educational workshops, art installations, and social media campaigns focused on prevention.
• #SAAM and #SAAMChat — Social media campaigns using these hashtags generate millions of impressions each April. The NSVRC hosts Twitter/X chats and provides shareable graphics, fact sheets, and discussion guides to facilitate online engagement.

How to Get Involved in Sexual Assault Awareness Month

There are many meaningful ways to participate in SAAM, whether as an individual, an organisation, or a community group:

• Wear teal throughout April — Display a teal ribbon, pin, or clothing item to show your support for survivors and your commitment to prevention. It is a simple gesture that starts conversations and signals solidarity.
• Participate in Denim Day on 29 April — Wear jeans to work, school, or in your community as a statement against victim-blaming and harmful attitudes about sexual violence. Encourage your workplace or school to take part collectively.
• Share NSVRC resources on social media — The NSVRC provides free, downloadable campaign materials including graphics, fact sheets, and social media templates. Use the hashtags #SAAM, #SAAM2026, and #25YearsStronger to amplify the message.
• Organise or attend a community event — Many local organisations hold workshops, panel discussions, film screenings, vigils, and art exhibits during April. If no events exist in your area, consider partnering with a local rape crisis centre or advocacy group to create one.
• Request workplace training — Encourage your employer to hold training sessions on consent, bystander intervention, and recognising signs of sexual harassment. Many organisations offer free or subsidised training resources during SAAM.
• Support a local crisis centre — Donate funds, volunteer your time, or organise a supply drive for your local sexual assault service provider. Crisis centres often see increased demand during April as heightened awareness prompts more survivors to seek support.
• Educate yourself and others — Read survivor accounts, study prevention frameworks, and learn about the policies that affect how sexual violence is reported and prosecuted. Sharing accurate information helps dismantle myths and reduce stigma.
• Engage on campus — Universities and colleges are major participants in SAAM. Students and staff can organise Take Back the Night marches, consent workshops, peer education programmes, and Denim Day events. Many campuses also run “Clothesline Projects,” displaying decorated shirts that bear witness to violence.

Why Sexual Assault Awareness Month Matters

The statistics on sexual violence remain stark. According to the World Health Organisation, approximately 840 million women globally — nearly one in three — have experienced physical or sexual intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, or both at least once in their lives. A 2024 UNICEF report found that over 370 million girls and women worldwide were subjected to rape or sexual assault before the age of 18. In the United States, RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) estimates that someone is sexually assaulted every 68 seconds.

Despite these figures, sexual violence remains significantly underreported. Fear of retaliation, shame, distrust of institutions, and lack of access to support services all contribute to low reporting rates. SAAM plays a critical role in challenging the silence and stigma that surround sexual violence, making it easier for survivors to come forward and access the help they need.

The month also highlights prevention as a community responsibility. Rather than placing the burden solely on potential victims, SAAM promotes bystander intervention, consent education, and systemic change — encouraging everyone to examine and challenge the attitudes and behaviours that enable sexual violence to persist. Organisations like the NSVRC emphasise that sexual violence is preventable, and that awareness is the first step toward creating lasting cultural change. Other observances focused on safety and community wellbeing, such as the 16 Days of Action Against Domestic Violence, share this commitment to ending gender-based violence through education and collective action.

Resources and Organisations

Several organisations provide year-round support and produce specific resources for SAAM:

• NSVRC (National Sexual Violence Resource Center) — The primary coordinator of SAAM in the United States. Offers campaign toolkits, statistics, training materials, and the annual theme resources at nsvrc.org/saam.
• RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) — Operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline (1-800-656-HOPE) and provides online chat support. RAINN also maintains an extensive database of statistics and policy information.
• Peace Over Violence — The Los Angeles-based organisation behind Denim Day. Provides prevention education, crisis intervention, and community outreach programmes.
• UN Women — Coordinates global efforts to end violence against women and publishes data and reports on the prevalence and impact of sexual violence worldwide.
• Rape Crisis England & Wales — For those in the United Kingdom, Rape Crisis operates a network of centres providing specialist support and runs its own awareness campaigns aligned with SAAM.

Noteworthy Facts About SAAM

• April 2026 marks the 25th anniversary of the first nationally coordinated Sexual Assault Awareness Month campaign, organised by the NSVRC in 2001.
• The teal ribbon was adopted as the symbol of sexual violence awareness in the early 2000s and is now recognised internationally.
• Denim Day has been observed annually since 1999, making it one of the longest-running sexual violence awareness campaigns in the world.
• The NSVRC was founded in 2000 with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, housed within the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape.
• The #MeToo movement, which gained global momentum in October 2017, was originally founded by activist Tarana Burke in 2006 — more than a decade before it went viral.
• RAINN reports that two out of three sexual assaults in the United States go unreported to police, highlighting the critical role of awareness campaigns in encouraging survivors to seek support.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sexual Assault Awareness Month?

Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) is an annual campaign held every April to raise awareness about sexual violence, support survivors, and promote prevention strategies. It is coordinated nationally by the NSVRC.

When is Sexual Assault Awareness Month 2026?

SAAM 2026 runs from Wednesday, 1 April to Thursday, 30 April 2026. The month-long observance takes place every April.

What is the theme for SAAM 2026?

The 2026 theme is “25 Years Stronger: Looking Back, Moving Forward,” celebrating the 25th anniversary of the first nationally coordinated SAAM campaign and honouring the progress made by survivors and advocates.

What is Denim Day?

Denim Day is held on the last Wednesday of April — 29 April in 2026. Participants wear jeans to challenge victim-blaming attitudes about sexual violence. The campaign was inspired by a 1998 Italian Supreme Court ruling and has been running since 1999.

Who organises Sexual Assault Awareness Month?

The National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC), based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, coordinates the national SAAM campaign each year. Local events are organised by rape crisis centres, universities, advocacy groups, and community organisations across the country and internationally.

Spread the Word

Help raise awareness by sharing Sexual Assault Awareness Month with your friends, family, and followers. Use the hashtags #SAAM, #SAAM2026, and #25YearsStronger on social media. The more people who understand the prevalence of sexual violence and the importance of prevention, the closer we move toward a world free from it.

Related Awareness Days

• 16 Days of Action Against Domestic Violence — A global campaign running from 25 November to 10 December that calls for the elimination of gender-based violence, connecting closely with SAAM’s mission.
• International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women — Observed on 25 November, this United Nations day raises awareness about violence against women and girls worldwide.
• Child Safety Week — A UK-based campaign in June focused on keeping children safe from harm, including abuse and exploitation.

Links

• Visit the official SAAM page at NSVRC
• RAINN — Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network
• Denim Day — Peace Over Violence
• Explore more awareness days at AwarenessDays.com

Upcoming Awareness Days

1 AprParkinson’s Awareness Month 2026

1 AprNational Brunch Month 2026

1 AprAutism Awareness Month 2026

1 AprMove More Month 2026

1 AprHarmonize Your Health Day 2026

1 AprJazz Appreciation Month 2026