April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) and it calls attention to the fact that sexual violence is widespread and impacts every person in every community. SAAM aims to raise public awareness about sexual abuse, harassment, and assault and educate communities about how to be involved in prevention. This year’s SAAM campaign theme, Building Connected Communities, calls on each of us to work together to prevent sexual abuse, harassment, and assault.
HaysMed is proud to have a team of six specially trained forensic nurses to serve Ellis County and the surrounding communities. We believe all our communities will be safer and stronger by making them more equitable for people of all gender identities and sexual orientations, races and ethnic backgrounds, ages, faiths, and abilities. Statistics show:
- Over 53% of women and over 29% of men reported experiencing contact sexual violence in their lifetime (Chen, et al., 2023).
- Most women and men across all sexual identities who experienced contact sexual violence reported that the person who harmed them was someone they knew (Chen, et al., 2023).
- More than 4 in 5 American Indian and Alaska Native women (84.3%) have experienced violence in their lifetime (Rosay, 2016).
- 32.9% of adults with intellectual disabilities have experienced sexual violence (Tomsa et al., 2021).
“By providing forensic nursing services, HaysMed provides a vital resource to ensure patients impacted by violence receive the specialized care they deserve”, said Forensic Program Coordinator, Trisha Haskell.
In 2023, HaysMed added 2 new nurses to their team and provided care to over 70 patients. The Building Connected Communities campaign is an opportunity for our community to join with others in committing to prevent sexual abuse, assault, and harassment. HaysMed is committed to fostering connected, respectful, and inclusive communities, recognizing that these efforts are crucial for promoting our collective well-being and safeguarding against the threat of sexual violence.
