Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM)
About SAAM
Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) is recognized nationally every April to raise awareness about sexual and gender-based violence through education, prevention, and survivor support. Sexual and gender-based violence includes a range of harmful behaviors, including, but not limited to sexual assault, relationship violence, stalking, and sexual harassment.
Join us throughout April for a series of events, activities, and programs designed to empower individuals and strengthen our community in our mission to end sexual and gender-based violence.
Events
Special Event: Take Back the Night
LiveWell and SARVA
April 17, 2026, 5-7 p.m.
wǝɫǝbʔaltxʷ – Intellectual House, 4249 Little Canoe Channel NE, Seattle, WA 98105
Take Back the Night RSVP
Join us in supporting survivors and helping to end sexual and gender-based violence with our empowering keynote and student speakers, a student-created art exhibit, reflective origami and art activities and a candlelight vigil honoring survivors. FREE dinner will be provided from 5-6 p.m., with vegan, vegetarian and nut-free options available upon request. Learn about resources available for survivors and how you can make a difference.
Please complete this RSVP form by April 10 so we can plan for seating and food. Walk-ins are welcome; however, food and seating are limited and cannot be guaranteed.
Additionally, If you are interested in volunteering to help with this event or the 5k Teal Run, please fill out this Volunteer Sign Up form by April 10.
Take Back the Night Art Submission
The Take Back the Night art exhibit welcomes a wide range of artwork, from poetry and writing to drawings, paintings, photography, and more. This exhibit aims to offer survivors and allies a space to share, reflect, and connect through art. We welcome submissions from artists of all experience levels and encourage both new and previously created work. If you are interested in submitting a piece of art, please complete the interest form by April 10.
Because this exhibit centers on themes of sexual and gender-based violence, submissions may explore complex or sensitive topics. We ask that all artwork approach these themes with care and respect for the community. Submissions may not be included if they are deemed harmful or inappropriate.
History of Take Back the Night
Take Back the Night (TBTN) is a global movement to end sexual violence. It began in 1975 when women in Philadelphia held a demonstration after the murder of Susan Alexander Speeth. Similar protests emerged in Germany and England, and in 1976, a nighttime march at the International Tribunal on Crimes Against Women in Brussels helped internationalize the movement.
Founded in 2001, the Take Back the Night Foundation (TBTNF) provides survivors with resources, event support, and legal aid. Today, TBTN events worldwide—including marches, vigils, and educational workshops—continue to drive legislative change, support survivors, and work toward ending sexual violence.
We are thrilled to bring this empowering event to the University of Washington.
Love Letters to Survivors
LiveWell and SARVA
April 6-10, 2026, 4-6 p.m.
Odegaard Undergraduate Library, 4060 George Washington Lane Northeast, Seattle, WA 98195
A kind message can make a world of difference. Stop by anytime during our tabling events to write a short letter of support for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence and learn ways you can support survivors this Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Letters will be donated to Solid Ground, a nonprofit that helps relocate and support survivors of domestic violence.
5K Teal Run
SARVA and the Husky Run Club
April 11, 2026, 9 a.m.
Mary Gates Hall, NE Grant Ln, Seattle, WA 98195
Teal Run RSVP
Join SARVA and the Husky Run Club for a 5K in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. This community-centered event raises funds for local domestic violence shelters in the Seattle area, with 100% of proceeds going directly to support survivors.
Participants are welcome to run, walk or jog at their own pace. Everyone is encouraged to join! Registration is $15, and all participants will receive a water bottle and bag (available through the day of the run). Those who sign up by March 20 will receive a free event T-shirt.
Denim Day Fashion Shows
SARVA, Homeroom and MODE UW
April 13, 14, and 16, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Red Square, 4063 Spokane Ln, Seattle, WA 98105
Denim Day Model Sign-Up Form
In honor of Denim Day, SARVA, Homeroom and MODE UW are bringing awareness to Sexual Assault Awareness Month through a series of pop-up denim fashion shows in Red Square. Viewers can see these shows between class periods to see students showcase denim looks that spark conversation, challenge harmful myths and stand in solidarity with survivors. Stop by, learn more about the meaning behind Denim Day, and be part of this impactful campus tradition.
If you are interested in being a model for one of the 20-minute timeslots, please fill out the Denim Day Model Sign-Up Form by April 10.
Candle-Making
SARVA and ISLA
April 22, 5:30 p.m.
Ethnic Cultural Center 308, 3931 Brooklyn Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105
ISLA and SARVA are bringing students together for a candle-making gathering rooted in community, reflection, and solidarity. Join us for an evening of meaningful connection and creativity. All current UW students welcome.
Survivors and the Stars
LiveWell and UW Planetarium
April 23, 4 p.m. – 5 p.m.
UW Planetarium, Physics/Astronomy Building (PAB), 3910 15th Ave NE A220, Seattle, WA 98195
Survivors and the Stars RSVP
Join LiveWell and the UW Planetarium for a special gathering designed for survivors of sexual violence (all are welcome though)!
Stories are one of the oldest ways humans have sought to understand themselves and the world. The stories we tell ourselves and live by, the ones we tell each other, the ones that weave together to create culture – stories are incredibly powerful, especially for survivors of sexual violence. Join us as we explore the representation of survivors of sexual assault in mythology, comparing how different versions of the same story have vastly different impacts. We will use these myths to examine our own stories, and how they have the power to shift our response and our healing. Afterwards, enjoy the UW Planetarium’s breathtaking star show as it carries you throughout the night sky while listening to peaceful, healing music.
Whether you’re a survivor, a supporter, or simply someone who believes in the power of community and care–you are welcome to join us for this evening! Limited spots available. Please RSVP by April 22nd.
Self-Defense Workshop
SARVA and NextGen
April 27, 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Kane Hall 225, 4069 Spokane Ln NE, Seattle, WA 98105
Self-Defense Workshop RSVP
Learn self-defense techniques with SARVA and NextGen as they partner with Alpha Martial Arts to host a self-defense workshop open to all students. The first 30 people to sign up will receive their very own self-defense kit, so don’t wait! Registration deadline is Monday, April 20th.
University of Washington resources
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual or gender-based violence, you may wish to seek our resources or support. The resources below provide guidance on how to navigate these situations and provide support while respecting a survivor’s privacy.
Additional resources
- RAINN
- PSYCOM
- Joyful Heart
- NSVRC: The National Sexual Violence Resource Center
- King County Sexual Assault Resource Center
- PCAR Guide: A Guide for Friends and Family of Sexual Violence Survivors
- The National Domestic Violence Hotline
- New Beginnings: Ending Domestic Violence (King County)
Sponsors
LiveWell: Health Promotion & Prevention is a dedicated unit of professionals who believe in the impact of health promotion, advocacy, and education. The team works collaboratively to deliver effective educational programming and intervention services to students at the UW. Our goal is to foster a community where individual agency is powered to positively impact health and well-being in our communities and in our own lives.
Sexual Assault and Relationship Violence Activists (SARVA) is a student-led entity of the Associated Students of the University of Washington (ASUW) dedicated to combating sexual assault and relationship violence in the UW community. We serve as liaisons between the student body and institutional resources, providing advocacy, education, and programming for survivors and allies. SARVA works to raise awareness, dispel myths, and foster open discussions about sexual assault and relationship violence. Through activism and education, we aim to create a sex-positive culture while advocating for survivors and providing vital support to the UW community.
Questions?
If you have any questions or would like to learn more, please email lwevents@uw.edu.