April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month – a time to honor survivors and their community. 

In America, someone is sexually assaulted every 68 seconds (RAINN) and 1 in 5 American women has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape (National Sexual Violence Resource Center). 

Sexual assault can happen anywhere: in the workplace, in parking garages, on college campuses and (predominantly) in the home. The victims are children, servicemembers and the incarcerated, regardless of gender expression (although 9 out of 10 victims of rape are female) (RAINN). 

Despite a historical readiness to blame the person assaulted, there is absolutely no justification for calling out what the survivor was wearing, whether they had a drink or what time they were walking home. The onus of prevention should be on society, not victims. 

The National Sexual Violence Resource Center shares what it takes to prevent sexual assault, in all its forms: 

“Prevention requires that we make the connection between all forms of oppression (including racism, sexism, homophobia, ableism, adultism, ageism and others) and how these create a culture in which inequality thrives and violence is seen as normal. Effective prevention efforts utilize prevention theories to change communities, shift social norms, end oppression and promote norms of equity, consent and safety for all.”

Whether they are educating communities about how to maintain healthy relationships or advocating for survivors of sexual violence, these Give Lively members have our gratitude and admiration as they work on this truly intersectional issue. 

The Nonprofits

The Advocates

This nonprofit ensures that no victim of abuse or violence in the Wood River Valley of Idaho and surrounding areas ever has to struggle alone. The Advocates offers a comprehensive array of services – 24 hours a day, 365 days a year – for victims of domestic abuse, sexual violence and stalking. The Advocates envisions a compassionate community free from emotional and physical abuse. To reach its goal, The Advocates teaches people of all ages how to build and maintain healthy, positive relationships with peers and partners through education, shelter, resources and support.

The Advocates uses a Give Lively-powered Branded Donation Widget to collect donations on their website.

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Victim Rights Law Center

An act of sexual violence can devastate and often derail an individual’s life. The impact is long-lasting – months, years, even a lifetime. Imagine all the necessities of your life – housing, employment, education, privacy, safety; and, in some cases, citizenship – put in jeopardy because of sexual violence. While therapists, medical professionals and the criminal justice system can provide invaluable support, they cannot restore some of life’s most immediate, basic needs. In response, Victim Rights Law Center was established in 2003 as the first nonprofit law center in the nation solely dedicated to serving the legal needs of rape and sexual assault survivors; and to promote a national movement committed to seeking justice for every rape and sexual assault survivor.

The Victim Rights Law Center used a Give Lively-powered Event Ticketing page for the virtual panel Legal Insights 2024: Key Issues in Sexual Violence Law. 

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Dallas Area Rape Crisis Center

This organization is committed to engaging and educating communities to prevent sexual violence and supporting survivors and their loved ones as they heal and thrive. The staff and trained advocates of the Dallas Area Rape Crisis Center (DARCC) are available to help people impacted by sexual violence navigate the journey of healing in a safe and confidential environment. DARCC’s comprehensive program includes counseling, crisis intervention and advocacy for those whose lives have been affected by sexual violence. DARCC is also committed to social change through prevention, education and community outreach programs.

The Dallas Area Rape Crisis Center uses its Give Lively-powered Core Profile fundraising page to collect donations through its website. It also used a Campaign Page for its 7th Annual Dallas Area Rape Crisis Center Community Breakfast in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month 2024.