SAAM & CAPM Resources for Advocates
Supporting Survivors During Sexual Assault Awareness Month & Child Abuse Prevention Month
April marks both Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) and Child Abuse Prevention Month (CAPM)—a crucial time to amplify prevention efforts, support survivors, and equip advocates with the tools they need to make a lasting impact. As frontline advocates, your dedication makes a difference, and we’re here to provide specialized resources to support your mission.
SAAM’s 2025 theme, “Together We Act, United We Change,” underscores the power of collective action in preventing sexual abuse, assault, and harassment. This campaign aims to deepen public awareness of sexual violence, elevate survivors’ voices, and inspire collaborative efforts to foster safer, more supportive communities. Everyone deserves to live in an environment where respect and safety are prioritized. By uniting workplaces, schools, and communities in a shared commitment to these values, we take meaningful steps toward preventing sexual violence and creating lasting change.
The National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) provides a wealth of resources to support Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) and promote education, prevention, and advocacy. From fact sheets and toolkits to social media graphics and campaign guides, NSVRC equips individuals, organizations, and communities with the tools they need to raise awareness and take action. Their resources help amplify survivors’ voices, educate the public about consent and healthy relationships, and empower advocates to foster safer environments. Whether you’re hosting an event, leading a discussion, or looking for ways to get involved, NSVRC offers accessible, research-based materials to drive meaningful change and help prevent sexual violence.
Long before its official recognition, Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) has been dedicated to both raising awareness and preventing sexual assault, harassment, and abuse. A look at the history of the movement to end sexual violence reveals why these efforts must go hand in hand: Prevention is impossible without awareness, and awareness is incomplete without solutions. These two elements have always been interconnected. From the civil rights movement to the establishment of the first rape crisis centers, to the passage of national legislation and beyond, SAAM is deeply rooted in a long-standing commitment to change.
Theme
This year’s Child Abuse Prevention Month theme, “Powered by Hope, Strengthened by Prevention,” serves as a powerful reminder that when families are supported, entire communities thrive. Hope fuels resilience, and prevention strengthens the foundation for safer, healthier environments where children can grow and flourish. By investing in resources, education, and early intervention, we empower caregivers with the tools they need to nurture their children and build strong, stable families. Every child deserves to feel safe, valued, and loved, and it is our collective responsibility to create a culture of protection, advocacy, and support.
Families Forward Virginia Resources
Families Forward Virginia provides a wide range of resources to support CAPM, empowering individuals, families, and communities to take action in protecting children and strengthening families. Their materials include educational toolkits, advocacy guides, social media campaigns, and prevention strategies designed to raise awareness and promote positive parenting. Through training programs, policy initiatives, and community partnerships, Families Forward Virginia equips caregivers, professionals, and advocates with the knowledge and tools needed to foster safe, supportive environments for children. By leveraging these resources, we can work together to prevent child abuse, support families in need, and create a future where every child can thrive.
Pinwheels and Pinwheel Gardens
Ever since Prevent Child Abuse America launched its Pinwheels for Prevention campaign in 2008, pinwheels have become a powerful symbol of CAPM. They represent the bright, happy, and carefree childhood that every child deserves. Planting pinwheel gardens is a visual reminder of our collective commitment to creating safe, nurturing environments where children can grow and thrive. Each pinwheel serves as a call to action, encouraging communities to support families, advocate for prevention efforts, and raise awareness about child abuse. By displaying pinwheels in public spaces, schools, and workplaces, we spark conversations, inspire involvement, and reinforce the message that protecting children is a shared responsibility. Together, through awareness and action, we can build a future where all children are safe, valued, and empowered to reach their full potential.
Participating in Teal Tuesday, Blue Day, and Denim Day is a powerful way to show solidarity with survivors, raise awareness, and advocate for prevention. Teal Tuesday encourages individuals to wear teal, the color symbolizing sexual violence awareness, as a visible statement of support for survivors and a commitment to ending sexual violence. Blue Day highlights child abuse prevention, using blue as a reminder of the importance of protecting children and creating safe environments for them to thrive. Denim Day, inspired by a historic court case, challenges victim-blaming attitudes by encouraging people to wear denim as a stand against sexual assault misconceptions and to support survivors. By participating in these awareness days, individuals and communities can foster important conversations, challenge harmful stereotypes, and promote a culture of prevention, respect, and support.