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APRIL IS SEXUAL AWARENESS MONTH
Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) is celebrated in April every year around the world to raise public awareness about sexual assault against persons, especially women and children. It is also intended to educate communities and individuals on how to prevent these attacks.
Each year during countries, community-based organizations, rape crisis centers, Government agencies, businesses and individuals plan events and activities to highlight sexual violence as a human rights and social justice issue. They also seek to reinforce the need to prevent it.
This year, Guyana will join with several other countries to celebrate SAAM under theme “Embrace your Voice.” The teal ribbon, a medium to deep blue-green colour ribbon, has been adopted as a symbol of sexual assault awareness and prevention.
In 1976, a group of women, “Take Back the Night” organized a week of protest against rape and sexual assault on women and the violence and fear they encountered while walking the streets at night. Over time, these events coordinated into a movement across the United States and Europe to raise awareness of sexual assault and violence against women and children.
In the late 1980s, a week in April was selected as Sexual Assault Awareness Week by the National Coalition of Women. But by the late 1990s, Sexual Assault Awareness Week was expanded to the entire month of April due to several events and activities that went beyond the week.
SAAM was first observed in April 2001 by many countries, including Guyana. In 2009, United States President Barack Obama was the first United States president to proclaim April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in the United States. Since then many other leaders have followed in Obama’s footsteps.
In the United States, it was ironic for President Donald Trump who has himself been repeatedly accused of sexual misconduct by dozens of women to designate the month of April as National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month in America on Good Friday.
The 2016 presidential campaign that launched Trump to the White House saw the unearthing of an infamous “Access Hollywood” tape in which the real estate tycoon bragged about groping women. It should be noted that allegations of domestic abuse led two Trump staffers to resign. Since former film mogul Harvey Weinstein’s dramatic downfall over allegations of sexual harassment to rape, there has been a deluge of accusations that toppled men from powerful positions in a number of industries including Hollywood, the media and politics.
In Guyana, we all have a role to play in changing the culture of sexual violence against women. We must change how we think and talk about sexual violence and create a culture of respect and equality. Our voices have power, therefore, now is time for everyone to find their voice and embrace this year’s Sexual Assault and Awareness Month’s theme by speaking out against stereotypes or gender biases and take positive steps to end sexual violence in society once and for all.
Sexual assault crimes remain tragically common in our society, and offenders too often evade prosecution. The attacks are committed indiscriminately against children and women against their will, in the home, in public spaces and in the workplace.
Too often, the victims of assault have remained silent due to fear, retribution from their offender, lack of faith in the justice system, or have difficulty confronting the pain associated with the traumatic experience.
As a nation, we must remain steadfast in our efforts to stop sexual violence, provide care for victims and make sure that offenders are prosecuted.
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