April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month! This year’s theme, Together We Act, United We Change, highlights the importance of working together to address and prevent sexual abuse, assault, and harassment.
Source: https://www.nsvrc.org/saam/about-2025
Canvas Health’s Abuse Response & Prevention Services staff and advocates work every day to help victims of sexual assault. Our program offers the following services to individuals in Washington County:
- 24-hour telephone crisis response: Immediate support and guidance available around the clock.
- Short-term crisis counseling: Helping victims address their emotional and psychological needs during critical moments.
- 24/7 response to local hospital emergency rooms: Advocates provide assistance and comfort to victims in urgent medical settings.
- Legal and law enforcement advocacy: Supporting victims in navigating legal processes and interacting with law enforcement.
- Safe at Home application assistance: Helping victims secure confidential addresses for safety purposes.
- Community education: Raising awareness and knowledge about violence, abuse, sex trafficking, and sexual exploitation.
- Free and confidential services: Ensuring accessibility without financial or privacy concerns.
For victims or individuals seeking support, Canvas Health’s Abuse Response & Prevention Services is a vital resource offering hope, care, and practical help. This program’s work is transformative in fostering healing and building stronger communities.
Sexual Violence Facts
- Every 68 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted. Every 9 minutes, that victim/survivor is a child.
- American Indians are twice as likely to experience a rape/sexual assault compared to all races.
- Sexual violence can have long-term effects on victims/survivors.
- 94% of women who are raped experience symptoms of PTSD during the two weeks following the assault.
- 33% of women who are raped contemplate suicide.
- People who have been sexually assaulted are more likely to use substances than the general public.
- On average, a sexual assault that includes full penetration lasts 2.5 hours.
- After experiencing a sexual assault some victims/survivors chose to participate in a medical forensic exam, commonly referred to as a sexual assault nurse examination (SANE). These exams can last anywhere between 2-8 hours and are extremely invasive.
- While each hospital is different, in Washington County a sexual assault victim/survivor can participate in a SANE exam up to 10 days after an assault.
- ARPS is seeing an increase in presentation requests from school settings for topics on online safety, sexting, grooming, and sexual exploitation.
Source: https://rainn.org/statistics/victims-sexual-violence?ref=nomore.org
Call to Action
Let’s unite in our mission to educate, advocate, and provide resources for those affected by sexual violence!
- Share Resources: Take a moment to share educational materials with your networks, clients, and communities. Let’s make sure everyone has access to information that can help victims/survivors feel supported and empowered.
- Engage in Conversations: Raise awareness within your teams and personal networks about the importance of consent, support systems, and facts regarding sexual violence. Open, respectful dialogue are key to changing the narrative.
- Volunteer and Advocate: There are many ways to get involved in local initiatives, during the month of April especially. Every action counts.
- Wear Teal on the Day of Action-April 1. Post a picture on social media using #SAAM2025. By wearing teal, you signal that you support survivors and are safe to talk to if they need to reach out.
- Wear denim on Denim Day-April 30. (https://denimday.org/why-denim)
- Donate to ARPS via Facebook Fundraiser
- Write letters to legislators to address sexual violence and the need for more crime victim services funds.
- Find your local rape crisis center and see if they are hosting a community event.
- Support Abuse Response & Prevention Services at Canvas Health: Consider donating your time, skills, or resources to ARPS to continue providing services to those in Washington County.
