Sure is not a confident yes. Saying stop does not mean. Saying no does not mean yes. No, a word one would not think is commonly dismissed. April is the month to spread awareness of S/A. This monthly awareness was first talked about in the late 1900s, many advocates began coordinating activities and events throughout the month of April. Going forward with this idea it became nationally recognized. It was for any victims of sexual violence and assault. Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) was first officially observed nationally in April 2001. To participate in this month individuals wear the color teal. But why is this month something to have knowledge about? Because sexual harassment, assault, and abuse can happen anywhere, including online spaces. For too long harassment, cyberbullying, and sexual abuse and exploitation have come to be expected as typical and unavoidable behaviors. In addition, this type of thing can really change a person, mentally and psychically. According to “rainn.org”, one out of every six American women has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape in her lifetime (14.8% completed, 2.8% attempted). Not only are women affected but so are men and young boys. Millions of men in the United States have been victims of rape. As of 1998, 2.78 million men in the U.S. had been victims of attempted or completed rapes. Approximentally 3% of American men (one in thirty-three) have experienced an attempted or completed assault in their lifetime. This is something that should not be common, the numbers should be getting lower, not higher. Not everyone has the same story, some were strangers, some were friends, loved ones, family members, teachers/professors, coaches, driving instructors, etc. Furthermore, those who have been affected by S/A may not have the same trauma responses. For example, one’s brain may be able to block out everything, but sometimes keywords or actions can trigger one to remember bits and pieces. As nice as that sounds it isn’t. When those people are asked to talk about it they cannot because they do not remember it. Their brain does everything in its power to protect that individual from reliving that pain/trauma, but just because they can no longer remember it does not mean they did not go through it, part of them will always be missing. Others may fall down into a deep depression or develop an eating disorder. There are many different ways PTSD is found in response to sexual assault. In the end, the individual who experienced the assault is not at fault. Do not blame the victim. If S/A has affected any loved ones or oneself, the National Sexual Assault Hotline number is 1-800-656-4673. If one prefers in-person Red Oak Counseling is a facility with many great therapists. Lastly, Nsvrc (National Sexual Violence Resource Center) is always available to those in need. Never ever blame yourself for someone else’s actions. Nobody is alone.