Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM)

Your Home for East-Central Illinois SAAM Events!

April marks the 25th anniversary of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. This year’s national theme, “25 Years Strong: Looking Back, Moving Forward,” celebrates the resilience of survivors and the communities that have worked for change. SAAM is a chance to reground in the truth that every conversation, service, and policy in support of survivors is not only advocacy – it’s prevention. This is why our focus for 2026 is on bridging this understanding.

Prevention starts with us. It is in how we support one another, practice consent, and create spaces rooted in care and respect.

That’s why this April, RACES will focus on two priorities:

• Priority #1: Building Parent and Caregiver Capacity to Create Healthier Communities: A local campaign to empower caregivers in understanding, supporting, and embracing their role in reinforcing safety across community spaces.
• Priority #2: Deepening Local Partnerships to End Violence: Creating, holding, and cultivating spaces for expand access, and drive community-driven solutions.

See below for this year’s events, and stay tuned for forthcoming resources. Remember: we all have a role in creating safer and healthier communities!

Thank you to our SAAM 2026 Partners – we are stronger together!

• The New American Welcome Center

• The Refugee Center

• Urbana-Champaign Reproductive Justice

• Cunningham Township

• Avicenna Community Health Center

• Carle Hospital’s Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners

• The City of Champaign

• The City of Urbana

• The Champaign County Health Care Consumers