April’s Sexual Assault Awareness Month is a time to raise awareness about the problem of sexual violence and educate communities on how to prevent it.

Although high-profile cases have increased awareness of sexual assault, it remains a major health concern for women in the U.S., with one in three experiencing some form of sexual violence in their lifetime. That’s because awareness is only part of the equation. The other part is action.

Starting this April, we invite you and others to pair awareness with action to create the positive change needed to end sexual assault and make our communities safer. By taking the following pledge, you are taking action and creating positive change.

• By pledging to treat people with dignity and respect, you will make a conscious choice to spread kindness where ever you go.
• By pledging to recognize that we all have equal value, you will reflect on how many groups in our society have been marginalized and oppressed and work to change that for our future.
• By pledging to listen to and support survivors, you will help people feel that what they experienced was not their fault and was not deserved.
• By starting a conversation with friends, family or coworkers on the topic of sexual assault, you will raise awareness and learn how others view this issue.
• By pledging to encourage friends and family to take the pledge, you will create ripples, turning into waves that will create a beautiful change in our society.

Learn more about how you can help end sexual assault by contacting Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan (WRCNM) at (231) 347-1572 or visit wrcnm.org. If you or someone you know is in need of confidential support services, call the WRCNM’s 24-Hour Crisis and Information Line at (231) 347-0082 or (800) 275-1995.

Click here to take the pledge!

Click here to download the poster.

Click here to download the pledge sheet.