April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Though sexual assault receives special awareness and attention during the month of April, MN Forensic Nurses recognizes the importance of this anti-violence work every month. As forensic nurses or SANEs, we’ve been honored to be in this space working towards healing and change alongside victim-survivors for many years. Our goal is to provide a safe space for the important work survivors do of recalling what has been done to them and taking back their agency in the exam space. We also recognize the work goes far beyond our exam walls and our facility spaces. It is in every advocacy agency working tirelessly to bridge gaps and create continued connection for survivors to the resources they need for healing. It is in the survivor every day living their healing journey, whatever that looks like for them. 

We will be posting some different events happening during the month of April as well as some different “interest articles” to bring different perspectives to each of us as we work individually and as systems to honor survivors this month with our voices. We do this by amplifying the voices of survivors. 

  • April 3rd is Action Day at the Capitol – Join the Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MNCASA), Minnesota Indian Women’s Sexual Assault Coalition (MIWSAC), Violence Free Minnesota, Mending the Sacred Hoop, Minnesota Children’s Alliance, and dozens of other advocacy agencies and professionals from across the state at 1 pm at the State Capitol to advocate for the legislative agenda addressing funding for agencies supporting survivors.
  • April 24th is Denim Day, a long-standing tradition internationally during SAAM, this day is an opportunity to wear denim material with a purpose, supporting survivors and educating people in our lives about sexual violence. This tradition started in Italy in 1992 when a teenager in Italy bravely reported her assault and was faced with the judgement of officials, citing that because she was wearing jeans, she could not have experienced assault. It is not abnormal to hear victim-blaming comments following sexual assault, with people pointing to how a victim-survivor acted or how they were dressed as justification for their assault. By wearing denim on April 24th, we break down this victim-blaming and shaming idea that persists today.

Please comment on this post with any events happening in your area that you want to boost!

B. Heisterkamp
Author: B. Heisterkamp

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *