April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, an annual observance to increase understanding, amplify the voices of survivors and empower our community to work together to promote safety and respect. 

In a survey by the American Association of Universities, 13% of students reported experiencing nonconsensual sexual contact. Together we can change the way we understand, talk about and respond to sexual assault. 

What is sexual assault?

Sexual assault is nonconsensual sexual contact or attempted contact, and it includes incidents where an individual is unable to consent. Sexual assault is a violation of university expectations, behavioral codes and the law.

What is consent? 

Consent is necessary to ensure that sexual contact is mutual. Consent is shown by affirmative words or actions by someone who freely wants to participate in sexual activity and who is able to provide consent, which means they are not incapacitated, threatened or coerced. 

How you can help

• Be aware. Bystander intervention is an effective way to reduce rates of sexual assault. Bystanders can help prevent sexual assault before it happens by helping targeted persons get to safety, impeding perpetrators and leveraging their positions to speak up. Learn more about effective bystander intervention.
• Build community. Participate in one of the university events in support of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, including the Wildcats Roar Against Sexual Violence 5K  on Thursday, April 2, and the SAAM Resource Fair on Tuesday, April 7, on the U of A Mall.

Support and resources

As a community, we can act together to raise awareness and help prevent sexual assault.

• Find links to resources, hotlines, protective services and SAAM events, and download a Zoom or Teams background on the university’s SAAM2026 webpage.
• If you or someone you know needs support, resources are available on the Office of Institutional Equity website, the employee support webpage and the student support webpage.