May 2025: Sexual Violence Prevention Month: Speak Out, Support Survivors, Take Action
“We don’t need to be quiet to heal. We need space, support, and a society that believes us.” - Chanel Miller
Every May, we observe Sexual Violence Prevention Month. It is a time for communities, organizations, and individuals to speak out, take meaningful action, and support those affected by sexual violence. The goal is not only to raise awareness but to drive cultural and systemic change. Sexual violence often goes unreported and unacknowledged because of stigma, fear, and shame. Survivors are frequently silenced or dismissed, and those who witness harm may hesitate to intervene or speak up. This silence allows abuse to continue and abusers to go unchallenged.
That is why it is so important to speak out. Breaking the silence takes courage, but it is also a powerful step toward change. When survivors speak their truth, they reclaim their voice and challenge the culture that allowed harm to go unchecked. When communities raise their voices together, they create space for healing, accountability, and prevention. Every voice matters. Every story told is a step toward justice.
This Month Is About More Than Awareness
Sexual Violence Prevention Month is a time to confront the silence, stigma, and shame that surround this issue. It is a time to amplify the voices of survivors, demand accountability from institutions, and reimagine what safety and justice can look like.
To truly prevent sexual violence, we must understand that it is rooted in power imbalances, social norms, and structural inequalities. Ending it requires collective responsibility, from each of us. Prevention means disrupting the conditions that allow sexual violence to occur in the first place. That includes challenging rape culture, investing in education, and fostering environments where respect, consent, and boundaries are non-negotiable.
Survivors of sexual violence often carry invisible wounds. Many never disclose what happened due to fear, shame, or the belief that they won’t be believed or supported. Prevention is not just about stopping violence before it happens. It’s also about creating systems and cultures that do not tolerate abuse and that support healing, not re-traumatization.
We Honour Survivors and Appreciate Social Workers and Frontline Staff
This May, we honour the courage and resilience of survivors, those who have come forward and those who continue to carry their experiences in silence. Their strength and determination to survive, heal, and speak out, drive this movement forward. Each survivor’s voice is a powerful force in challenging injustice and transforming systems that have historically silenced them. Their stories fuel change, spark compassion, and inspire communities to act.
We extend our deep appreciation to Social workers, and frontline staff, who play a critical role in both prevention and support, who work every day to support survivors and prevent further harm. Despite the emotional toll and pressures of their roles, they show up every day with compassion, resilience, and strength. Their presence makes healing possible. This month, we recognize their dedication and reaffirm our collective responsibility to support their efforts and build communities where safety and dignity are non-negotiable.
Bystanders: What You Can Do
Whether you are a student, parent, teacher, employer, or community leader, you have a role to play in ending sexual violence.
“There is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about.” - Margaret J. Wheatley
This month, we encourage you to:
Listen to survivors without judgment
Learn the facts and share accurate information
Challenge harmful myths and everyday language that normalizes abuse
Support local organizations with your time, resources, or advocacy
Use your platform to raise awareness and amplify survivor voices
A Shared Commitment
Sexual Violence Prevention Month is a time for reflection, education, and action. Survivors deserve more than awareness campaigns. They deserve a world that listens, believes, and protects. That kind of change takes all of us, working together to create a culture where violence is never ignored, and prevention is part of everyday life.
Let this May be a turning point, not just a recognition, but a recommitment to justice, safety, and dignity for all.
Written by Evetta Solomon.
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