April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). While sexual violence prevention should be done all year around, during the month of April, we focus our efforts to create more intentional campaigns and events to increase awareness and provide education across the country. To learn more about the history of SAAM, sexual violence prevention and national resources, check out the National Sexual Violence Resource Center.
Talking to your student about consent is so important. The statistics around sexual violence are chilling but the youth-specific stats are particularly concerning. One study discovered that 10.5% of high school age girls and 4.2% of high school boys report being sexually assaulted. Another study reported that 81% of high school students report experiencing some form of sexual harassment by the end of high school. Talking to your student about consent, safe relationships, and respecting boundaries is one of the most important prevention efforts we can make. Here is an article from Child Mind Institute that gives great information about not only why it’s important to have the tough conversation but tips for how to have the conversation.
At BHS, the amazing Mrs. Vannah does a great job facilitating conversation around consent and healthy relationships. Mrs. Vannah also has Through These Doors and SASSMM come teach a class to further engage students in the conversation and connect them with local resources.
This April, a group of BHS students have planned a SAAM event that will focus on education, prevention, and resilience. All students and staff are welcomed to attend, but it is not required. The student leaders have planned short speeches to educate their peers about prevention efforts, discuss the resilience of survivors and how to get help both in the community and at BHS. Advocates from Brunwsick’s local sexual violence support and advocacy center, Sexual Assault Support Services of Midcoast Maine (SASSMM) will also attend the event to both speak about resources they offer and be available to support students, if needed. The student’s creating the event have worked hard to plan something that is both educational and a call to action while also being intentional not to expose peers to additional trauma.
SASSMM is part of the state-wide Sexual Assault Helpline. This number is free, confidential, and runs 24/7: 1-800-871-7741. SASSMM provides a number of services including support and accompaniment during court dates, medical exams such as a sex crimes kit, and when filing a police report. SASSMM Advocates also facilitate support groups, drop in hours at schools, and go to schools to educate students, Kindergarten and beyond! Another available resources is the National Sexual Assault Hotline that can be reached by calling: 1-800-656-4673.
If you are concerned about your student, please reach out to their school counselor: Mary Moore (R10, OCLC, ESOL), Diane Cook (A-F), Scott Bradley (G-N), Christina Ring (O-Z). You can also reach out to Meredith Vogel (general education social worker) or Mary Kunhardt (special education social worker).
