For this year’s Child Abuse Prevention Month and #PinkyPromise, we’re also holding space for another April campaign, Sexual Assault Awareness Month and #BuildingConnectedCommunities. Every April we paint one of our pinky nails blue to honor and spread awareness for the 1 in 10 children who experience child sexual abuse before they turn age 18. When we hold additional space for adults who have experienced sexual assault, we find that 1 in 2 women and 1 in 3 men have experienced sexual assault in their lifetimes.Â
No matter the age when the victimization occurs, the majority of sexual abuse/assault survivors know their perpetrators. Often, these perpetrators leverage their relationship with the survivor by using threats or intimidation to coerce the survivor into keeping the abuse a secret. This can lead to feelings of isolation, hopelessness, and despair for the survivors.
When we believe survivors, share the resources, and talk about these issues, we build connected communities where healing is possible for everyone, at any age.
As we paint our pinky nails blue for our #PinkyPromise, keep in mind these five points from ChicagoCAC on our collective #PowertoPrevent:Â
To learn more about how ChicagoCAC plans to do more for sexual assault survivors of all ages, check out our newest initiative, CAN Hope.Â
Please be sure to take a photo of your Pinky Promise endeavor this April and post it on social media with the hashtag #PinkyPromise and ask your friends to join you! To learn more, go to www.chicacocac.org/capm.