National Campaign Focuses on Preventing Campus Sexual Assaults

News provided by

National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC)

Apr 01, 2010, 03:05 ET

ENOLA, Pa., April 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The month of April has been designated as Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). The National Sexual Violence Resource Center's (NSVRC) 2010 SAAM campaign, Prevent Sexual Violence... on our campuses, focuses on preventing sexual violence at higher education institutions. The goal of SAAM is to raise public awareness about sexual violence and to educate communities and individuals on strategies for its prevention.

It is estimated that for every 1,000 women attending a college or university, there are 35 incidents of rape each academic year(1). This year's campaign brings together resources and information across a variety of campus-related topics, with an emphasis on incorporating primary prevention efforts. Resources are available through the NSVRC's SAAM website (www.nsvrc.org/saam) including campus sexual violence resource lists, suggested activities for SAAM, and more. The website is now fully available in Spanish and English.

The NSVRC, founded by the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape in July 2000, is the nation's principle source for information regarding all aspects of sexual violence. Phone toll free 877-739-3895 or visit www.nsvrc.org.

(1) Fisher, B.S., Cullen, F.T., & Turner, M.G. (2000), The Sexual Victimization of College Women, National Institute of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics.

SOURCE National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC)