April 2025 is the 25th annual Sex Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), and the University of Hawaiʻi is marking it with a series of events exploring healthy relationships and the effects of sexual violence with resources and support for survivors. The events will take place—in person and online—throughout April.
“This is an important time for our UH ʻohana to come together to stand with survivors and demand respect and safety for all,” said UH President Wendy Hensel. “These events also offer an opportunity for each of us to do our part by learning to recognize and prevent sexual abuse and how to build a community where everyone can thrive.”
Jessica Shaffer, a Co-Chair for the UH Commission on the Status of Women and a SAAM event organizer agrees, saying preventing sexual violence requires collective and individual action.
“Sadly, sexual violence impacts everyone: men, women, and folks beyond the binary, from keiki to kūpuna,” said Shaffer. ”The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network reports that over 400,000 Americans experience sexual assault every year.”
Upcoming SAAM programs
Sexual Assault Awareness Month Resource Fair
UH Mānoa Campus Center, April 14, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
The fair is open to the UH Mānoa community. Learn more about our wonderful on- and off-campus resources and take a stand against sexual violence. Swag, games, activities and valuable information will be available.
Sponsors: Confidential Mānoa Advocate, PAU Violence, Office of Title IX
Revenge Porn: Understanding Non-Consensual Pornography webinar
Online via zoom, April 24, 12–12:30 p.m. Register online
During this information packed webinar, the Sex Abuse Treatment Center will discuss revenge porn, a form of digital abuse where sexually explicit photos are videos are shared without consent. Attendees will learn about the revenge porn dynamics and how it intersects with stalking. This session will also explore enhancing protective factors to increase personal safety and support resources.
Sponsor: Office of Compliance, EEO, and Title IX, Office of the Vice President for Community Colleges
Sextortion: The Intersection between Sexual Violence & Technology webinar
Online via zoom, April 29, 12–12:30 p.m. Register online
In this lunch-and-learn webinar, speakers from the Sex Abuse Treatment Center will break down sextortion, a serious crime that involves threats to distribute your private or sensitive material if you do not provide money, images of a sexual nature, sexual favors, etc. Attendees will learn about the tactics and websites used in sextortion and what options and support are available to those experiencing misconduct.
Sponsor: Office of Compliance, EEO, and Title IX, Office of the Vice President for Community Colleges
Denim Day
All campuses, April 30
Wear denim in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Live.Pono.Love.Pono Podcast
Streaming online, April 2025
Join Love Pono for several podcasts on “Silent No More: Art, Media, and Poetry in the Fight Against Sexual Assault.”
Sponsor: Love Pono, Leeward Community College
Pinwheel Garden Planting
Kauaʻi Community College Lawn between One Stop Center & Learning Resource Center, Date TBD
April is also Child Abuse Awareness Month. Join us as we will be “planting” a pinwheel garden on the lawn to raise awareness and prevent child abuse.
Sponsor: Kauaʻi Community College Title IX Office
Reach out
Given the subject matter, some SAAM events may be upsetting. Help is available, including support from Title IX Offices (not confidential) and Confidential Advocates.
Additionally, the Sex Abuse Treatment Center is a community resource that offers 24/7 hotline services.
While UH policy prohibits sexual misconduct, every person plays a part in building a safe and welcoming UH, free from sexual violence.
Previous 2025 SAAM events and organizers
UH has already hosted a variety of related events including “Sip & Set Boundaries” at Kauaʻi Community College, where participants learned to recognize, build and maintain healthy relationships with partners, friends, and family; the Leeward Community College’s Student Involvement Fair featured tabling by Love Pono, offering support resources and highlighting the intersection of alcohol use and sexual violence; and UH community members, including representatives from the UH Commission on the Status of Women, joined SAAM sign-waving events across Hawaiʻi on April 1.
The UH units participating in the SAAM events are the Kauaʻi CC Title IX Office, PAU Violence, Leeward CC Love Pono, the UH Commission on the Status of Women, the UH Mānoa Office of Title IX, the Confidential Mānoa Advocate and the UH Community College’s Office of Compliance, EEO, and Title IX.
