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Taking place in April, Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) is an annual campaign to raise awareness of sexual assault
and sexual violence, and educate communities on how to prevent violence, and support those affected. The goal of SAAM is to raise public awareness about sexual violence and to educate communities on how to prevent it.  This month we will explore how we as individuals and members of the Fraternity can use our voices to make a true impact and become an agent for change.

Our efforts toward this mission include these steps:

  • Engage our members with Sexual Assault Awareness Month through various means of involvement and education.

  • Educate our members by providing resources that they can utilize. Additionally, encourage our members to educate their peers on their respective college campus communities.

  • Empower our members to embrace their voices and the influence our platform when speaking and developing action-oriented approaches to Sexual Assault Awareness.

The National Sexual Violence Resource Center is a great place to find resources to help organizations begin event planning, media campaigns, and other forms of educational platforms, as well as engage members of their campuses/communities in the conversation around how to prevent sexual assault. For more information, please review this toolkit. The toolkit will include educational resources on the topic of sexual assault and how to engage in prevention, as well as what to do should someone you know has been impacted.

If you plan events or media campaigns, please be sure to share on social media and include the hashtags #SAAM or #PhiPsiSAAM so everyone can see the great work you are doing locally to raise awareness.

There is no excuse and never an invitation to rape

Denim Day 2019

For the past 20 years, Peace Over Violence has run its Denim Day campaign on a Wednesday in April in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The campaign began after a ruling by the Italian Supreme Court where a rape conviction was overturned because the justices felt that since the victim was wearing tight jeans she must have helped the person who raped her remove her jeans, thereby implying consent. The following day, the women in the Italian Parliament came to work wearing jeans in solidarity with the victim. Peace Over Violence developed the Denim Day campaign in response to this case and the activism surrounding it. Since then, wearing jeans on Denim Day has become a symbol of protest against erroneous and destructive attitudes about sexual harassment, abuse, assault and rape. In this sexual violence prevention and education campaign we ask community members, elected officials, businesses and students to make a social statement with their fashion statement by wearing jeans on this day as a visible means of protest against the misconceptions that surround sexual violence.

Phi Kappa Psi chapters and members and can participate in SAAM in a number of ways. This year’s theme is “I Ask,” and those participating are encouraged to take the time to use their voice to raise awareness and educate others about consent and how sexual assault can impact everyone, both directly and indirectly.

You can learn more about the month and find resources through these sites:

  • National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) SAAM page – The NSVRC is an advocacy and educational organization working to raise awareness and help prevent sexual assault and sexual violence. They have a section on their website specifically for SAAM, where they have educational and advocacy materials for anyone to use.
  • RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest Network) – RAINN is the US’s largest anti-sexual violence organization, working together with sexual assault service providers to help coordinate care and support, provide education and training, and operate the National Sexual Assault Hotline (1.800.656.HOPE [4673]).
  • Campus Resource Guide – Available in the Phi Psi Portal, these guides provide links to your campus offices that is promoting SAAM, planning programming and events, and can provide information on how members can get information and education on your campus or local community.

Questions or comments regarding this campaign can be sent to Andrew Kerwood, Health & Wellness Consultant, at ajk@phikappapsi.com.

Download Chapter Toolkit

Additional Resources

Charting the Path Forward – Information, facts, and statistics about how Higher Education has been addressing sexual assault on campuses.

Holmes Murphy Webinar – Webinar with background information on SAAM and specifics related to marketing your event.

RAINN Day Guide – Event planning guide for SAAM.

SAAM Toolkit – Sexual Assault Awareness campaign guide, which includes an introduction to the 2019 campaign theme “I Ask”.

Phi Kappa Psi SAAM Chapter Toolkit – The official Fraternity toolkit developed by the Health & Wellness Team.

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