SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH

April 2025: Fighting Together: Strength in Community

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), a time to raise awareness and take action in support of survivors. At Resilience, we’re committed to fostering a community of support, healing, and prevention! This month, we’re excited to bring you a variety of events, resources, and ways to get involved that are all about raising awareness, sharing hope, and creating change. 

Whether you’re able to join us for one of our events, spread the word on social media, rock some Resilience merch from our store, or donate, there’s a way for everyone to help. Every little bit counts, and we’re grateful for anything you’re able to do to help us continue providing free programs and services to survivors of sexual violence.

Here’s how you can get involved this SAAM: 

• Attend an Event: Join us at one of the many events and activities this month to learn, connect, and be part of the conversation.  
• Raise Your Voice: Share content from our social media toolkit and help spread the word to your friends and followers.
• Grab Some Merch: Shop our RAYGUN collection and wear your support proudly. We receive a portion of all sales from our store!
• Donate: Make a donation to help us keep providing our life-changing programs. 

No matter how you choose to participate, we’re so thankful for your support. Together, we can make a difference. Let’s make this SAAM one to remember!  

EVENTS

SAAM Day of Action – Wear Teal

April 1st 2025 – All Day
Social media everywhere

Join us in kicking off Sexual Assault Awareness Month by participating in the SAAM Day of Action! Wear teal on April 1st to show your support for survivors of sexual violence and raise awareness in your community. Whether online or in person, your participation helps amplify the voices of those impacted and brings attention to the importance of prevention and support. Share your teal photos, stories, and messages on social media using the hashtags #SpeakLoudStandProud, #WeRiseTogether, #JoyInResistance. #FightingTogether, #ResilientTogether, and tagging @ResilienceChi to help spread the word and inspire others to take action. 

Let’s stand together and make a difference!

OutSpoken 

April 1st 2025  – 7pm-9pm
Sidetrack Bar, 3349 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60657 

OutSpoken is a powerful monthly storytelling event held at Sidetrack in Chicago’s Boystown neighborhood, designed to uplift and amplify LGBTQ+ voices. This month, we are thrilled to have Case Management Specialist Jonathan Van De Loo as one of our featured performers. Jonathan will be telling a story to raise awareness about Resilience and highlight the important services we offer. Join us for an evening of storytelling, community, and support.  

Cocktails for a Cause

April 5th 2025  – 7pm-11pm
Corinthian Yacht Club, 601 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL 60613

Buy Tickets: https://cfac25.givesmart.com  

Join us for a night of celebration, community, and giving back at the 3rd annual Cocktails for a Cause! Hosted by Resilience’s Associate Board, this exclusive event on April 5th promises a memorable evening with a stunning view of Chicago’s iconic skyline from the Chicago Corinthian Yacht Club. 

Come eat, drink, and dance the night away in support of a powerful cause! Tickets start at $45 and will include: 

• Silent auction featuring exciting prizes! 
• Live DJ to keep the party going. 
• Option for an open bar or mocktail (non-alcoholic) ticket. 
• Delicious appetizers, treats, and more.

Bring your loved ones, friends, and colleagues for an unforgettable evening on the harbor.

OMMB Open Mic at UIC

April 10th 2025 –  4pm-6pm
Location: 605 Student Center East – 750 S. Halsted St. Chicago, IL 60607
Register: wlrc.uic.edu/events/safe-beats/  

Our Music My Body is an awareness campaign focused on addressing sexual violence and promoting personal safety in music spaces. Join us for an open mic night at UIC, hosted by Maggie Arthur, former Director of Education and Training at Resilience, and Rudy Vecchia-Zeitz, current OMMB Coordinator & Prevention Educator at Resilience. This event will explore the importance of creating safer spaces in the music community and highlight the efforts made to foster a more supportive and inclusive environment. Come share your voice, learn about our ongoing work, and be part of the conversation!

Resilience x &Rise BIPOC Wellness Event

April 16th 2025 – 6pm-8pm
Virtual, sign up here: https://www.womenrisechicago.org/events/she-rises-a-celebration-of-bipoc-womens-mental-wellness 

Join Resilience and our partner organization, &Rise, for a safe and supportive space dedicated to the mental wellness of Black and Brown women. Understanding that conversations about mental health—especially for survivors of sexual and domestic abuse—can be challenging, this event is designed to gently open those doors. It offers a platform to share experiences, access resources, and connect with others who truly understand. 

SSW T-Shirt Making Day

April 18th 2025 – 11am – 5:30pm
Location: Resilience Austin Office, 4909 W. Division St. Suite 407 

On April 18th at Resilience Austin Offices, we’ll be creating T-shirts and signs for Standing Silent Witness on April 23rd. Art supplies will be provided, along with a limited number of T-shirts to decorate, or feel free to bring your own shirt to personalize! This event offers a chance to express your support for survivors and contribute to a powerful visual demonstration. 

Standing Silent Witness

April 23rd 2025 –  11:45am-1:30pm
Location: Daley Plaza, 50 W Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602

Join us for Standing Silent Witness, Resilience’s signature event for Sexual Assault Awareness Month (#SAAMChi). In this powerful visual demonstration of the silencing of survivors of sexual violence, participants will gather silently for one hour, wearing t-shirts adorned with messages and stories protesting sexual violence and rape culture.

We invite you to stay for as long as you feel comfortable—whether standing or sitting. This event unites community members, advocates, volunteers, and survivors, all amplifying the voices of those too often silenced. At the end of the hour, we will break the silence and hear directly from survivors. 

This event is free and open to all. Together, we’ll show our strength in numbers, spark essential conversations, and raise awareness about the impact of sexual violence.

Denim Day (Virtual event)

April 30th, 2025 – all day
Social media everywhere

Denim Day is a global campaign held every year on the last Wednesday in April in honor of SAAM. The campaign began after a controversial ruling by the Italian Supreme Court, where a rape conviction was overturned because the justices argued that since the victim was wearing tight jeans, she must have helped her attacker remove them, implying consent. In response, the women of the Italian Parliament wore jeans to work the following day in solidarity with the victim. 

This Denim Day, we ask you to join us by wearing denim, sharing photos, and tagging Resilience (@ResilienceChi) on social media to stand against victim-blaming and show support for survivors everywhere.