In addition to April being a month to recognize the environment, it is also Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). Though this April is the 18th official anniversary, SAAM has been acknowledged even further back.
According to the official SAAM website, this month has been about awareness and prevention of sexual assault, harassment, and abuse.
For many, even acknowledging sexual assault happened is a huge step in the healing process.
Sexual Assault is about Power
The contributing factors of sexual assault is about power and control. Toxic masculinity (1), the need to prove yourself, the need to control someone else and put yourself on top — that culminates into nonconsent.
And it’s consent that we need to continually be aware of, even outside of the bedroom.
We need to emphasize consent in our everyday interactions. Creating a culture of consent allows for more open communication among all community members and makes the transition into the bedroom seamless.
This means asking: “Is it okay if I put my hand on your shoulder?” or “Is it okay if we hug?”
The culture of consent is also important because as people whose identities are often marginalized, consent allows us to take back control and autonomy. It respects us as human beings with separate thoughts and ideas.
What does this look like exactly?
The culture of consent is about respecting others’ choices, even if it is not the answer you’re looking for. It is allowing someone else to decide for themselves, the best choice for themselves. This means respecting their “no” when you ask for a hug. This means proceeding with an action if they agree with it, such as giving a high five if they allow it.
Consent culture is one step in creating a culture that puts others’ needs above your own. And it’s about reclaiming that power and taking it back into our hands.
(1) Toxic masculinity is a narrow and repressive description of manhood, designating manhood as defined by violence, sex, status and aggression. It’s the cultural ideal of manliness, where strength is everything while emotions are a weakness; where sex and brutality are yardsticks by which men are measured, while supposedly “feminine” traits – which can range from emotional vulnerability to simply not being hypersexual – are the means by which your status as “man” can be taken away. (The Good Men Project)
Resources
- Standpoint, an organization provides legal advocacy for survivors.
- Minnesota DayOne Crisis Hotline: 1.866.223.1111
- Directory of Organizations
- National Women’s Law Center
- Know Your Rights At Work
- Resources for Allies & Advocates
- Stalking Resource Center
- National Sexual Assault Awareness Month
- Consent Culture