Sexual Assault Awareness Month Background

During the month of April, numerous California and national events take place in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Rape crisis centers throughout the nation agreed upon this date at a meeting of the membership of the National Coalition Against Sexual Assault in the late 1980’s in order to coordinate efforts nationwide to educate and promote understanding about sexual assault and its prevention.

In April 1997, California lawmakers adopted a resolution, sponsored by Assemblywoman Kerry Mazzoni, designating April of every year as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Until that time, California rape crisis centers had designated a week in October as Sexual Assault Awareness Week. In that same month, one week was also designated for awareness activities in regards to domestic violence. Both the domestic violence and sexual violence prevention and education activities grew to the point of needing an entire month of their own. Now, April is designated for awareness of sexual assault while October remains the month for awareness of domestic violence. The resolution was sponsored by Senator Jackie Speier in 2001, by Senator Sheila Kuehl in 2002, by Assemblywoman Hannah-Beth Jackson and Senator Martha Escutia in 2003, by Assemblywoman Judy Chu in 2004, by Assembly Members Maze, La Malfa, Daucher and Liu in 2005, and by Assembly Member Maze in 2006.

The purpose of Sexual Assault Awareness Month is to increase the public's understanding about sexual violence in our society. This effort can help communities support rape and sexual assault survivors, victims, and their families, as well as the individuals and agencies that provide rape crisis intervention and prevention services throughout the year. It is also a time to encourage the public to take active steps to address sexual violence. The hope is that a month of intensified awareness efforts combined with the broad spectrum of anti-rape work throughout the year will bring us closer to ending sexual assault.