April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). The California Women’s Law Center recognizes that sexual violence is an unfortunate and pervasive problem impacting women, girls, and families across the country.

In January, a national survey reported that 81% of women experience sexual harassment or assault in their lifetime. And, one in five women have experienced a rape or attempted rape. Children are also at risk: one in four girls will be sexually abused before they turn 18 years old, and over a third of women who report being raped before age 18 also experience rape as an adult.

Campus sexual assault continues to be a serious problem as one in five women are sexually assaulted while in college and more than 90% of campus sexual assault victims do not report the attack.

Victims of sexual assault often feel powerless, guilty, embarrassed, afraid, numb, and isolated. They may develop more serious long-term issues like eating disorders, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

CWLC recognizes that sexual violence is widespread and occurs in every socio-economic level in homes, schools, and neighborhoods. We are dedicated to ensuring that women and children have access to resources that will help prevent and respond to violence. We remain focused on all forms of abuse and violence and have created educational and training programs that raise awareness about sexual violence. Click here to learn more about our work in this area.

Sexual assault is never acceptable. Please join CWLC and our allies in teaching healthy relationships and raising our collective voices to support survivors. To learn more about SAAM and how you can get involved, click here.