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SAAM and Take Back the Night

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), during which time people in the United States are encouraged to raise awareness about sexual violence. This year, the Tampa Bay community is running a #TurnTampaBayTeal campaign and both the SunTrust Building in Tampa and The Pier in St. Pete will illuminate teal from April 21-30, 2013!

Did You Know: 1 in 6 women and 1 in 33 men will experience attempted or completed rape in her/his lifetime? Every 2 seconds, someone in the U.S. is sexually assaulted? 15% of rape victims are under age 12? Girls from the ages of 16-19 are four times more likely than the general population to be victims of rape, attempted rape or sexual assault? Victims are 6 times more likely to suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, 4 times more likely to contemplate suicide, 13 times more likely to abuse alcohol, and 26 times more likely to abuse drugs? 54% of sexual assaults are not reported to the police? 97% of rapists will never spend a day in jail?

On April 21st, the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay and the Sexual Violence Task Force of Tampa Bay are hosting Take Back the Night, a movement that began in the 1970s to take a stand against sexual violence. Take Back the Night (TBTN) spreads awareness and celebrates survivor empowerment and resiliency and, during the event, local service providers will assemble to share their services with the Tampa Bay community. TBTN also includes a music fest, clothesline project, Men’s Pledge, empowerment march and survivor speak-out. Refer to the Take Back the Night Facebook event page to stay up-to-date with the event program. Masters of Ceremony include Lissette Campos of WFTS-TV Positively Tampa Bay and Brendan McLaughlin of WFTS-TV ABC Action News. Also in attendance will be Rep. Kathy Castor, Councilwoman Lisa J. Montelione, and Chief Jane Castor.

Take Back the Night 2013 will be held at Curtis Hixon Park in Tampa on April 21, 2013 from 4:00pm – 9:00pm. This event is free and open to the public. Both survivors and those who believe that sexual violence should be eradicated are encouraged to attend this event.

#TurnTampaBayTeal

St Pete #TurnTampaBayTeal

Tampa #TurnTampaBayTeal

Clearwater #TurnTampaBayTeal

Spread the word and Turn Tampa Bay Teal – Join the Movement!

Throughout the month of April, take pictures of yourself, coworkers, students, teachers, peers, clubs, sports groups, social groups, professional groups, friends, etc. turning TEAL to raise awareness about sexual violence!

For Instagram and Twitter, use the hashtags:
#TBTN2013
#TurnTampaBayTeal

Facebook and Email:
-Post pictures to the Sexual Violence Task Force Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SVTFTampaBay
-Email: VOICEtampabay@gmail.com

To make an online donation to Take Back the Night, visit causes.com.