The Cocoon, Wood County’s only comprehensive domestic and sexual violence agency, hopes to create awareness for survivors during Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM.)
April 2021 marks the official 20th anniversary of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Even before its official declaration, SAAM was about both awareness and prevention of sexual assault, harassment, and abuse. In the United States, movements for social change and equality began to gain traction in the 1940s and 1950s with the civil rights era.
Efforts during this time were championed by Black women and women of color. Advocates like Rosa Parks worked to raise awareness of race-based and gender-based violence. The first rape crisis center opened in 1971 in San Francisco.
Today, agencies across the country like The Cocoon provide critical and sometimes lifesaving programs and services to survivors of sexual assault, including those trying to escape sex trafficking. The Sexual Violence Advocacy program assists survivors in gaining access to emergency safe shelter, medical and legal advocacy, one-on-one safety planning with a trained advocate, economic empowerment and much more.
All services provided by The Cocoon are completely confidential and provided at no cost to survivors and their children across their lifespan.
The Cocoon will be spreading awareness within the community by hosting the Wood County Clothesline display on April 15 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on the campus of BGSU. There is no cost to attend either event. Visit Facebook for more information.
For more information about The Cocoon or to donate, visit www.thecocoon.org. If you or someone you know needs help, you can talk with a trained advocate 24/7 by calling 419-373-1730 and selecting option #2.
