NSVRC Blogs

PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Supporters are invited to participate on social media and share a photo wearing teal on the April 4th Day of Action Harrisburg, PA –The National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) commemorates the start of Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) in April with their “Drawing Connections: Prevention Demands Equity” campaign. This campaign calls on all individuals, communities, organizations, and institutions to endeavor to build a foundation of racial equity and respect.  As those invested in sexual violence prevention work towards a future without

Support Survivors around the country for #SAAM2023 April marks Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM)! This year’s theme is “Drawing Connections: Prevention Demands Equity.” The campaign calls on all individuals, communities, organizations, and institutions to change ourselves and the systems surrounding us to build racial equity and respect.  This year in honor of #SAAM2023 we are hosting our very first SAAM Day of Giving. NSVRC and our founding organization PCAR envision a word free from sexual harassment, assault, and abuse. We are counting on everyone to support our mission to eliminate

The Mental Health Landscape Mental health is largely not discussed in the workplace , despite the fact that many adults face mental health struggles. In 2020, 6% of US adults (14.8 million) “had at least one major depressive episode with severe impairment in the past year.” Depression does not always, but can, stem from a response to trauma with up to 51% of sexual assault victims meeting the criteria for depression.” Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can also develop as a result of trauma, with 75% of sexual assault survivors developing it one month after their assault. It is

This list does not include all the terms and definitions related to systems that maintain unearned privileges and unjust oppressions. As we work towards a future without sexual violence, advocates, survivors, and communities must respond to a complex reality that center the needs of those most impacted by systemic oppression. This list is to support ongoing mutual learning.   Anti- Oppression refers to actions that seek to provide equitable approaches and practices to mitigate the effects of racism, ableism, sexism, classism, heterosexism, and classism. Barrier 

Every April, Sexual Assault Awareness Month calls attention to the fact that sexual harassment, assault, and abuse are widespread and impact every person in the community. SAAM aims to raise public awareness about sexual violence and educate communities on how to prevent it.  The theme of Sexual Assault Awareness Month 2023 is “Drawing Connections: Prevention Demands Equity.” The campaign calls on all individuals, communities, organizations, and institutions to change ourselves and the systems surrounding us to build racial equity and respect.  Systems of oppression such as racism,

Given that our SAAM 2023 theme is all about drawing connections, it’s vital to reflect on one of the most important connections we can make-the one with ourselves. The path to healing is a complex journey. Therapeutic outlets are one of the most common ways survivors of trauma express, process, and find closure in their lives. Although therapy and counseling are becoming increasingly common, the sheer number of options available can be overwhelming-especially when one is at the start of their healing journey. While there are still many barriers to accessing mental health and therapeutic

What is Transphobia? Transphobia “is the hatred of transgender people… typically accompanied by the belief that trans people don’t deserve respect or rights.” It can encompass fear or hatred towards transgender people, or the belief or idea that transgender people aren’t real or are somehow not valid in their own identity. Transphobia is deeply institutionalized and causes direct harm and loss of life for transgender people.   Transphobia shows up as a range of behaviors that make it difficult for trans people “to live openly and comfortably in society.” These include, but are not

What is Language Access?  Language justice is the right of people to communicate in the language that is most comfortable for them. Language access assures that the same services  offered to English-speaking individuals are offered to everyone. According to the National Center on Law and Elder Rights, “Language access rights are guaranteed under federal law. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and its corresponding regulations protect against discrimination on the basis of national origin. Courts have interpreted this protected class to include spoken language.” Language access

How powerful is the media in creating social norms? Social media, television shows, movies, advertisements, celebrity events, and other large public viewership happenings are powerful tools in setting cultural trends, social norms, and lifestyle benchmarks. These norms include subtle (or not so subtle) cues about how certain people should look, act, what they should wear, and how they should live. This doesn’t just create changes in material culture (styles, trends, and aesthetics), but creates internal changes within us, between us, and internally in our own community. It changes how we see

What is the state of housing inequality in the United States? Housing inequality is a form of economic discrimination in which not all people are able to live in places where they can be free from harm, threat, or barriers that keep them from thriving. In addition to the rising costs of living, the impacts of COVID-19 created an increase in housing insecurity that is affecting millions of people. According to a national survey taken in August 2021, 3.7 million people responded that they were “very likely” or “somewhat likely” to face eviction in the next two months, while 7.7 million people