CAPSEA gearing up for Sexual Assault Awareness Month

RIDGWAY- CAPSEA (Citizens Against Physical, Sexual, Emotional Abuse) will once again be participating in Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) for the month of April.

According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVC) website, the theme for this year is “Drawing Connections: Prevention Demands Equity.” The NSVC went on to state that the campaign calls on individuals, communities, and organizations, to change ourselves and systems to build equity and respect.

Additionally, they shared that the theme falls in line with drawing connections between ourselves, history, and the world around us is necessary for changing the future.

CAPSEA continues to be a leader in the local community and surroundings areas to bring awareness to the issue of sexual assault.

The color theme for SAAM is teal, which is a color symbol of trust, devotion, and healing.

Last year, several local businesses from Ridgway, Johnsonburg, and Emporium chose to decorate their storefronts in the color teal to show their support and raise awareness for Sexual Assault Month. Members of CAPSEA’s staff also placed teal balloons throughout the communities to “teal the town” in recognition of SAAM.

They will once again be participating in the “Day of Action” on April 4 where staff members of CAPSEA will wear teal to show their support for survivors of sexual assault.

CAPSEA will conclude SAAM by wearing jeans on “Denim Day,” which is April 26. This is known on a national and world wide scale as the largest sexual violence prevention and education campaign in history.

This effort can extend beyond CAPSEA, as it calls for the local community, area businesses, elected officials, and school students to wear jeans to raise awareness of the misconceptions of the issue.

CAPSEA is open to getting in contact with local businesses that would once again like to participate in SAAM this year and adding new ones that may be interested. If so, call CAPSEA’s office at (814) 772-3838.

To learn more about the various services that CAPSEA offers, visit their website at capsea.org.

Photo submitted CAPSEA’s Medical Advocate Amanda Tyler and Community Outreach Coordinator Lianne Schneider are preparing activities and events to educate individuals on how to prevent sexual violence in our communities. Other CAPSEA staff members are also helping Tyler and Schneider in these efforts.