April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Sanctuary, Inc. is preparing to host a series of events to raise awareness and share what resources are available to assault survivors in the coming month.
From Sanctuary, Heather Lancaster and Zirconia Vansauwa appeared on WHOP recently and shared what events they have planned for April staring with Wear Teal Week which kicks off on April 8. Teal represents sexual assault awareness and standing in support of survivors.
Vansauwa further shared that on April 9, Hopkinsville Mayor, J.R. Knight and Christian County Judge Executive, Jerry Gilliam will be reading a proclamation recognizing April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. In the following week Sanctuary is inviting the community to participate in Chalk the Walk to write messages of awareness and support to assault survivors on public sidewalks.
For Chalk the Walk, Lancaster further shared that, they a partnering with regional high schools throughout the month to write positive chalk messages and to spotlight teen dating violence.
To spotlight the resources available to sexual assault survivors, Vansauwa shared that they will be hosting Tea and Talk at 5:30 p.m. on April 18 at Milkweed Health & Harmony Emporium. Vansauwa says the event will be a support group for sexual assault survivors and Sanctuary therapists will be present.
Those interested in attending Tea and Talk can RSVP by calling Milkweed Health & Harmony Emporium.
Later in the month on April 24, Vansauwa says they will be recognizing the 25th anniversary of Denim Day. Denim Day is on the last Wednesday of April and raises awareness against sexual assault victim blaming.
Denim Day began after an Italian Supreme Court overturned a rape conviction because the victim was allegedly wearing tight jeans according to denimday.org. Vansauwa says the community is invited to decorate denim jeans that will be displayed in regional businesses.
Vansawua also invites the community to wear denim on April 24.
Throughout April, Lancaster says they are also partnering with Hopkinsville Electric System and Pennyrile Rural Electric who will be distributing teal light bulbs.
As April nears, Sanctuary will share an agenda of events for Sexual Assault Awareness Month to their Facebook and more information about the organization is available at thesanctuaryinc.com.
Photo courtesy of Sanctuary, Inc. on Facebook from their 2023 Chalk the Walk