Every year, young people and their loved ones join together across the country in a national effort to raise awareness about the issue of teen dating violence. This annual, month-long push focuses on advocacy and education to stop dating abuse before it starts. This year the motto for TDVAM is “Talk About It”. Throughout the month PAVE will be sharing how to keep the conversation going and by doing so, hopefully creating a discussion before it’s too late.
January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month. There are millions of lives exploited through human trafficking, including women, men, and children. Billions of dollars are earned through trafficking and human traffickers wear many faces. Through the promise of providing basic needs such as shelter and food, traffickers use sex and labor as an exchange. Human trafficking is complex and includes many layers that people are not aware of. People across the world are not knowledgeable about what trafficking is and in some situations, a victim may even be unaware that they are being trafficked. It is important to learn human trafficking tactics and online safety in order to move towards the stopping of the horrific acts that are occurring globally. 5-Stones is a resource that provides training and education to work towards the end of human trafficking. There is a large importance to resources such as 5-Stones because providing training and resources will not only help make a community aware, but may also educate a victim about the options to save their life.
5-stones Dodge County is pleased to partner with PAVE in the month of January, Human Trafficking Awareness Month, as they continue to raise awareness and prevention of the exploitation of women and children. It is vital that the community raises their voices against domestic violence and sexual exploitation as we all work to create a safe and productive environment for the vulnerable among us. Keep your eyes and ears open to the needs around you. Don’t be afraid to come alongside someone in distress; you could be the change for someone to a better life! To learn more about 5-Stones, visit https://www.5-stones.org!
See Something, Say Something. Become Aware. Get Involved. Fight Injustice.
If you suspect sex trafficking, call the National Hotline 888-3737-888 or text info or help to BEFREE (233733).
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). Sexual Violence, abuse and harassment can happen in any community, including in online spaces. We all play a role in making sexual violence prevention a priority in our communities and online spaces.
SAVE THE DATES:
• April 6th is TEAL TUESDAY – Sexual Assault Awareness Day of Action – Join PAVE in showing victims and survivors they have our support. Wear your teal shirts, ribbons, nails, make up, jewelry, ties, etc. Turn your social media profiles and backgrounds teal. You can even deck out your pets in teal! Wearing teal will serve as a conversation starter for important issues like consent, respect, and support for survivors. Share your TEAL TUESDAY pictures with us on Facebook.
• Saturday April 10th is our Second Annual Team Teal Virtual 10K Challenge. The race is on to end sexual violence & harassment in our communities and online spaces! You can run, walk, bike, hike, row, skate, etc your 6.2miles. You get to choose how to do your miles: you can get outside and enjoy some fresh air with a walk, jog, bike ride, etc. or stay inside with your trusty treadmills, ellipticals, bikes, rowing machines, etc to do your miles. It’s all up to you. The best part, you don’t have to do all 6.2 miles yourself, you can get a team together to split up your miles. For example, you decide to do 2 miles on your treadmill, your cousin decides they are going to do 3 miles on their bike, and maybe a co-worker or friend decides to join your team and do 1.2 miles on their elliptical machine. Now as a team you have all contributed to the (6.2 miles)10K Challenge! Look for our Team Teal 10K Challenge post on April 10th to share snapshots of how you chose to do your miles with us on Facebook.
• April 28th Denim Day: Millions of People across the globe will wear jeans with a purpose – to support survivors and educate themselves and others about all forms of sexual violence. There is no excuse and never an invitation to rape! As the longest running sexual violence prevention and education campaign in history, Denim Day asks community members, elected officials, businesses and students to make a social statement with their fashion statement by wearing jeans on this day as a visible means of protest against the misconceptions that surround sexual violence. Why wear jeans? After a ruling by the Italian Supreme Court where a rape conviction was overturned because the justices felt that since the victim was wearing tight jeans she must have helped the person who raped her remove her jeans, thereby implying consent. The following day, the women in the Italian Parliament came to work wearing jeans in solidarity with the victim. Peace Over Violence developed the Denim Day campaign in response to this case and the activism surrounding it. Since then, wearing jeans on Denim Day has become a symbol of protest against erroneous and destructive attitudes about sexual harassment, abuse, assault, and rape. Share your Denim Day pictures on our Facebook page to show your support for survivors and help stop victim blaming.
Every 73 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted.
Every 9 minutes, that victim is a child.
It’s on all of us to raise awareness about sexual violence of all forms, to recognize the need for consent and that non-consensual sex is sexual assault. It’s on all of us to identify situations in which sexual assault may occur, and to intervene in situations where consent has not or cannot be given. It’s on all of us to create an environment in which sexual assault is unacceptable, and to build a community of support for survivors. We can choose to take action by speaking out against rape myths and sexist language, by supporting survivors, and intervening on behalf of victims. As we connect online, we can learn how to practice digital consent, intervene when we see harmful content or behaviors, and ensure that online spaces — whether they be workspaces, classrooms, social media platforms, or otherwise — are respectful and safe.
While Sexual Assault Awareness Month is a time each April to shine a light on prevention and share support for survivors, in the midst of a global pandemic, this all takes on a new significance. For many survivors, social distancing limits access to services, medical care, and community supports — and social unrest and crisis are often linked to increased risk of sexual assault and abuse. That’s why our support for survivors now is more critical than ever. Reach out during this critical time. Survivors of sexual assault and other forms of trauma may feel unexpectedly triggered by the ways their daily lives have been impacted by this pandemic. Surrounded by tragic news and the overwhelming uncertainty of this time, many are feeling helpless and afraid. A support system now is critical as re-traumatization and trauma triggers amplify feelings of isolation and lack of control. Send a text or message through social media to ask how the survivors in your life are doing. Let them know you are there and available to listen — even if it’s not in person. Share self-care reminders and support, model digital consent and share messages of support in physical and digital spaces. These small steps foster a sense of connection and serve as an important reminder they are not alone.
When survivors know they have their community’s support, they feel safer seeking out help and accessing local resources. Let’s show survivors they have our support! This April, please join PAVE in Turning TEAL for Sexual Assault Awareness Month! Help us raise awareness about sexual violence and harassment, show support for survivors, and build safer communities and online spaces. Let’s turn the towns TEAL by decorating your doors and windows with teal ribbons, hearts, butterflies, flowers, inspirational/supportive quotes, etc.; you can tie teal ribbons around your mailboxes and trees; use teal inspired backgrounds for your online accounts including zoom backgrounds, profile pictures and cover photos, etc. Show us how you Turned Teal for SAAM by sharing your teal pictures with us on our Facebook page.
October is domestic abuse awareness month. How does domestic violence impact us locally? In 2019 PAVE provided 1,649 individuals with crisis services and 3,112 nights of shelter. Domestic violence is never an isolated issue that only affects families or individuals in abusive relationships. Domestic violence affects all of us. It impacts all aspects of our community including community health, crime rates, the ability to participate in the workforce, child development, and family dynamics.
All forms of intimate partner violence are preventable. The first step in preventing violence is to empower yourself through seeking information and educating ourselves and our youth. Strategies to promote healthy, respectful, and nonviolent relationships are an important part of prevention. PAVE stands for Protect. Advocate. Validate. Educate.
Please join PAVE in October to shine a light for victims of domestic violence. Light up your front porch or window with purple lights to support victims, and remember those who lost their lives. Let the victims in our community know they are valued and supported.
Denim Day is April 24, 2019! We encourage everyone to wear jeans to raise awareness of rape and sexual assault!
Why wear jeans?
After a ruling by the Italian Supreme Court where a rape conviction was overturned because the justices felt that since the victim was wearing tight jeans she must have helped the person who raped her remove her jeans, thereby implying consent. The following day, the women in the Italian Parliament came to work wearing jeans in solidarity with the victim. Peace Over Violence developed the Denim Day campaign in response to this case and the activism surrounding it. Since then, wearing jeans on Denim Day has become a symbol of protest against erroneous and destructive attitudes about sexual harassment, abuse, assault, and rape. We ask community members, elected officials, businesses and students to make a social statement with their fashion statement by wearing jeans on this day as a visible means of protest against the misconceptions that surround sexual violence.
April is also Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month.
Wear Blue April 5 to show your support.
Every child deserve to grow up in a safe, stable and nurturing environment. We all can show our support by promoting and strengthening prevention efforts in our community.
Whether you are a parent, teacher, coach, neighbor, family member or friend you can help. Caring adults can support the healthy growth and development of children who have experienced abuse by trusting them and helping them recognize it is not their fault.
If a child tells you that he or she has been abused one of the most important things you can do is stay calm. You should also:
Anyone can report suspected abuse or neglect. Contact your local child protective services or law enforcement agency so they can access the situation.
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 561
Beaver Dam, WI 53916
Phone Line:
920-887-3810
PAVE is proud to be a United Way recipient.
