April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) and this year, the observance carries extra significance. 2026 marks the 25th anniversary of the national SAAM campaign, and this year's theme, "25 Years Stronger: Looking Back, Moving Forward," reflects on how far the movement has come while keeping the focus on what still needs to change. 

SAAM is a nationally recognized observance dedicated to raising awareness about sexual violence and the steps we can all take to prevent it. For 25 years, it has brought together survivors, advocates, and communities in a shared commitment to end sexual violence. This April, Temple's Wellness Resource Center (WRC) honors that legacy with a lineup of events designed to educate, support, and bring our campus community together. 

Read more about SAAM’s 25th anniversary using the following link: SAAM 2026 - National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) 

Here's what's coming up: 

• ConsentFest | Wednesday, April 1 | 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Bell Tower (1210 Polett Walk)
  • Kick off SAAM at the Bell Tower with ConsentFest! This event will be a celebration of sexual health, consent, boundaries, and respect. Expect activities, music, and connections with campus and community resources. 
  • We understand topics at this event may feel sensitive or activating. Please take care of yourself however feels best when navigating around the Bell Tower during the event. 
• Pleasure Talks, We Listen | Tuesday, April 14 | 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. | Zoom 
  • Pleasure is often left out of conversations around sexual health and healing from trauma, and this workshop aims to change that. Through self-reflection, scenarios, and a closer look at consent, participants will explore what it really means to feel good. Program zoom link. 
• The Clothesline Project | Thursday, April 16 | 12:00 – 3:00 p.m. | Bell Tower (1210 Polett Walk)
  • One of the month's most powerful events, the Clothesline Project features a display of t-shirts made by past and present members of the campus community who have experienced assault and abuse. Each shirt represents a survivor and their story. Resource tables will also be available on-site. It's a meaningful opportunity to show up for survivors and be part of the conversation around healing and social change.
  • Please note this event includes references to interpersonal violence. 

Can't make it to an event? You can still show up. Honoring SAAM doesn't require being in a room—it starts in how we show up for the people around us. If someone in your life shares an experience of sexual violence, try the A.S.K. method, a simple but powerful framework developed by Active Minds: 

• Acknowledge: Create a supportive space by letting them know you’re here for them. Something as simple as "I hear you, and I believe you" can mean everything. 

• Support: Validate their feelings and ask them what they need. Opening up about trauma takes courage, you can acknowledge that and affirm that you are there to support whatever next steps they may take. You can also gently offer to explore additional support resources together if it feels helpful.   

• Keep-in-Touch: Check back in regularly and consistently. You don't have to have all the answers, just being consistent support is enough. 

Read more about the A.S.K. method using the following link: A.S.K. Acknowledge, Support, Keep-in-Touch | Active Minds 

Beyond A.S.K., small everyday actions add up. Educate yourself on what consent really looks like, challenge harmful jokes or comments when you hear them, and let the people in your life know you're a safe person to come to. 

Whether you attend one event or all of them, showing up is a way to stand with survivors and strengthen our community. For more resources on sexual violence support at Temple and in Philadelphia, visit wellness.temple.edu. 

BeWellTU <3