Center Joins Legislators to Declare April Sexual Assault Awareness Month

From The Center for Sexual Assault Crisis Counseling and Education: The Center for Sexual Assault Crisis Counseling and Education (The Center) will bring together the broader community as part of its annual Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) campaign. The month of awareness activities will begin with a kick-off press conference on Tuesday, April 4 at 1 PM at the Greenwich Town Hall. Greenwich First Selectman Peter Tesei will be joined by the executives of neighboring towns as they issue proclamations declaring that April is officially Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

This year’s theme, “Engaging New Voices,” builds on the idea that communities are stronger together, and that new organizations and community members are needed to expand sexual assault prevention efforts and help the next generation foster attitudes that promote healthy relationships, equality, and respect. Executive Director Ivonne Zucco believes that “sexual assault is an issue that affects more people than we are aware of. The Center is a safe place for survivors to come forward, but without the collaboration of the rest of the community we wouldn’t be able to do our work effectively. That’s why we would like to inspire leaders in the community to join us during Sexual Assault Awareness Month and speak up on behalf of those who feel they have no voice.

During Sexual Assault Awareness Month, The Center will bring the theme of “Engaging New Voices” to the community at large at several events:

• Wednesday April 5, 4-5:30 PM- A presentation at the Identity. Intersectionality, and Justice Academic Festival at Norwalk Community College
• Thursday April 6, and Wednesday April 12, Educational Open Houses for Legislators and Officials
• Sexual Assault Awareness Photographic Campaign displayed at Greenwich Town Hall April 1-15, and Darien Town Hall April 17-30
• Tuesday April 18, 7-8 PM- Parent Workshop entitled “Consent Through the Ages” at Darien Library
• Wednesday, April 19, 6-9 PM- Women Empowering Women, an evening of inspiration. Sheraton Stamford; Tickets are $100pp for dinner, drinks, and discussion, and are available at www.bit.ly/wew17
• Information and Resource tables at local high schools

Beyond SAAM activities this April, The Center leads a wide range of initiatives to prevent sexual assault. These include awareness campaigns, community outreach events, and prevention education to schoolchildren, community members, police forces, healthcare professionals, and elected officials. The Center and the statewide organization, The Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence, are members of the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, which organizes the national SAAM initiative.

Image courtesy of The Center for Sexual Assault Crisis Counseling and Education