Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs

Sexual Assault Awareness Month

March is Sexual Assault Awareness Month in Kentucky!

This is an annual opportunity to focus attention statewide on raising awareness about sexual violence and its prevention. It is also an opportunity to highlight the efforts of individuals and agencies that provide rape crisis intervention and prevention services while offering support to sexual assault survivors, victims and their families. SAAM raises awareness of sexual violence and its prevention through special events, while highlighting sexual violence as a major public health issue and reinforcing the need for prevention efforts.

Kentucky is unique in honoring March as Sexual Assault Awareness Month, as April is nationally designated as SAAM. Nonetheless, Kentuckians recognize SAAM in March because that simply works better here. In Kentucky, April is Child Abuse Awareness Month (visit www.pcaky.org ), and many of our Rape Crisis Centers participate in awareness campaigns for both. Furthermore, for many of our schools, Spring Break occurs during March, and the pre-Spring Break period appears to be ideal for sexual assault awareness and prevention activities.

If you would also like to support National SAAM efforts, we encourage you to be part of: SAAM Day of Action on Tuesday, April 5, 2012. Holding an event on this day might be a great way to wrap up SAAM 2012, and support national efforts at the same time. For more information, visit http://www.nsvrc.org/saam/.

Senate Resolution 135
http://www.lrc.ky.gov/RECORD/12RS/SR135.htm

House Resolution 145
http://www.lrc.ky.gov/RECORD/12RS/HR145.htm

KASAP’s 2012 SAAM Calendar
KASAP produces a state-wide calendar of events of SAAM events -- vist the calendar for a listing of events throughout Kentucky! Click here for full listing of events (PDF)

• 2012 Planning Guide for Rape Crisis Centers (PDF)
• Appendix for 2012 Planning Guide

Sexual Assault Awareness Month Awards - Honoring the History of Kentucky's Anti-Rape Movement
Sexual Assault Awareness Month Awards (SAAMys) are designed to honor individuals who have made exceptional contributions to Kentucky’s movement against sexual victimization. SAAMy recipients were selected by a committee of victim service professional from a pool of nominations submitted from individuals throughout the Commonwealth. For 2012, year one recipient was awarded on their statewide contribution, and one recipient was awarded on their regional contribution. Honorees were selected based on their efforts that focused on sexual violence with the long-term impact of those efforts, the length of their commitment to the ending sexual violence, and their collaborations with victim services programs.

Sexual Assault Awareness Month Award Recipients:
2012
Natalie Kelly
Shelly S. Miller

2011
Eddie Farrey
Denise Hylton
Angelika Lewis-Bowling

2010
Marie Almario
Phyllis Konerman
Jennifer Gay
Chief Terry Powell
Scott Napier

2009
Margaret Banks
Tammy Hatfield
Marta Miranda
Sharon LaRue

2008
Renae Duncan
Rep. Joni Jenkins
Roger Owens
Agnes Santiago
Marigail Sexton

2007
Detective Jodi Ennis
Dr. Hatim Omar
Dr. William Smock
Edwina Walker
Sen. Jeffery Green, In Memoriam

2006
Grace Ericksen
Lana Grandon
Carol E. Jordan
Diane Lawless
Rep. Jimmie Lee
Judi Conway Patton