SAFETY ALERT – If you are in danger, call or text 911.
Sexual violence is a major public health, human rights and social justice issue that impacts every person in Fairfax County. The purpose of Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) is to raise public awareness about sexual violence, educate our community on how to prevent it and share resources available to those impacted by sexual assault.
Everyone is affected by sexual assault. This is borne out by the statistics: Nearly 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men will be the victim of sexual violence at some point in their lifetime.
In many cases, sexual violence is a result of a culture that does not properly educate people on how to prevent crimes like this from happening. This makes it especially crucial to begin talking about consent and healthy relationships when our children are young, and to continue having these discussions throughout the course of our lives. These conversations are necessary if we are to create a culture where we can talk about consent, boundaries and healthy sexuality.
The duty of ending sexual violence is a community one, which is why it is important to raise awareness and give community members the necessary tools to have these conversations with their families and with each other.
Learn more about sexual violence. Share awareness-raising messages on social media from our Sexual Assault Awareness Month Community Engagement Toolkit. And see below for ways Domestic and Sexual Violence Services is observing the month.
Find out more information about Sexual Assault Awareness Month in Spanish via NotiCentro, Fairfax County’s monthly Spanish-language newsletter.
Wear teal on Tuesday, Apr. 1, 2025, to show support for survivors of sexual violence and to raise awareness about Sexual Assault Awareness Month. 
Unscripted: Conversations about Sexual and Domestic Violence is a podcast featuring employees and subject matter experts from Domestic and Sexual Violence Services and partner organizations discussing all aspects of interpersonal violence, while providing prevention strategies, solutions, and resources for support for residents of Fairfax County. Listen to these episodes during the month of April, as we observe SAAM:
Everyone is affected by sexual assault. You can be the one to start the conversation about Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). Check out these easy-to-use tools.
Everyone is affected by sexual assault. Check out these recommended readings to learn more about how to prevent sexual violence and how to provide support to survivors. There are books for 
Domestic violence and sexual violence are two separate issues and how they are addressed is different, too. Learn more about how the Department of Family Services’ Domestic and Sexual Violence Services division supports survivors of all forms of gender-based violence.