Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Hope Harbor and Western Kentucky University, along with the Sexual Assault Awareness Month Committee, are hosting a series of activities in March, 2011. Kentucky recognizes March as Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM).
The SAAM Committee plans educational and awareness activities throughout the month of March to increase the awareness that sexual violence is prevelant to everyone in our communities. The month begins with proclamation signings in various surrounding counties as well as at Western Kentucky University. Other activities include Healthy Days, the Clothesline Project, The Vagina Monologues with other activities sprinkled throughout the month. Our month ends with our Take Back the Night March/Vigil on Thursday, March 31, 2011. Take Back the Night events have been in existence since the 1970s and are held worldwide. Take Back the Night is an annual celebration honoring individuals who have endured the trauma of sexual abuse or assault.
Most events are free and open to the general public. However, for specific activity information please call (270) 782-5014 or visit www.hopeharbor.net or contact 270/745-3159 and visit www.wku.edu.. So whether you are wearing denim on Denim Day (March 25th), or helping us to March against sexual violence and Take Back the Night, help us to Break the Silence and be a voice for those who might not be able to speak out.
As part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Hope Harbor, Inc. proposes a partnership with the Bowling Green Police Department in the implementation of the first Safer B.G. Door-to-Door Outreach Campaign. Our goal is to increase awareness of safety and community resources by disseminating information directly into the hands of the residents of the Enterprise District through a door-to-door outreach strategy.
Pairs of trained volunteers will canvass designated areas of the B.G. Enterprise Community during a (4) four hour timeframe. Volunteers will go door-to-door disseminating specific safety and community information, and will spend between 5-10 minutes at each house. Volunteers will not be allowed to enter the houses and will abide by a pre-determined safety protocol.
SAAM activities are brought to you by the Sexual Assault Awareness Month Committee, a collaborative effort with Hope Harbor: A Sexual Trauma Recovery Center and Western Kentucky University’s departments such as Women’s Studies, Health Services, and the Counseling and Testing Center. Other members of the committee are from supporting community agencies such as MADD.