Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Clothesline Project - Click the link to the left to view pictures of last year's Clothesline Project.
Throughout the month of April, survivors and significant others are invited to express their thoughts and feelings through artwork. The art projects will include T-shirts and jeans, which will be displayed at various locations throughout the month of April. White is for Murder or death as a result of violence. Yellow, Brown, or Beige is for assault or battery. Pink, Red, or Orange is for rape of sexual assault. Green or Blue is for child sexual assault or incest. Purple or lavender is for homophobic violence. Black is for gang rape. Jeans are for misconceptions and injustice surrounding rape. Please donate old jeans, t-shirts, and arts/crafts to make the clothesline project possible. The agency accepts donations between 9 am and 5 pm Monday through Friday at the office located at 3700 Forest Drive, Suite 350 or contact us to arrange pick up.

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes - Click the link to the left for more information about this year's event.
Walk a Mile in Her Shoes © provides a great opportunity for men to get involved in the fight against sexual violence and in educating the community. Walk a Mile in Her Shoes © asks men to literally walk one mile in women's high-heeled shoes to rally the community to fight against sexual violence. STSM’s goal is to help men understand and appreciate women’s experiences, and realize that this is not only a women’s issue. This is also an opportunity for the community to become aware of services provided for those survivors of sexual assault.

Denim Day - Click the link to the left for more information about this year's event.
In Italy in 1992, an 18 year old girl was forcefully raped by her 45 year old driving instructor. The assailant was arrested, convicted, and sentenced to jail. He appealed the sentence, and the case made its way to the Italian Supreme Court. The Supreme Court released the perpetrator and dismissed all charges. The reasoning behind this was “because the victim wore very, very tight jeans, she had to help him remove them, and by removing the jeans it was no longer rape but consensual sex.” The women in the Italian Parliament wore jeans in protest, and the California Senate and Assembly did the same. Thus, Denim Day was born.

Please wear jeans to raise awareness and educate the public about rape and sexual assault!

Community Partner Appreciation - Click the link to the left for more information about this year's event.
STSM annually shows our appreciation to all organizations, agencies and individuals who partner with STSM on a daily basis to provide education and the best services possible to survivors of sexual assault and abuse throughout the Midlands area.  The celebration is an opportunity to meet our staff, volunteers and other partners in the community, enjoy hors devours and refreshments, and celebrate our accomplishments. The winners of the Community Partner Appreciation Awards will be announced during this event.

Tee It Up for STSM Golf Tournament - Click the link to the left for more information about this year's event.
Approximately 220 golfers from across the country enjoy 18 holes of 4 person Captain’s Choice during this annual fundraising event. Team prizes are given, including prizes for Longest Drive and Closest to the Pin on all par-3 holes. Lunch, dinner, and beverages are provided. 

Rape Aggression Defense Training (RAD) - Click on link to the left for more information about this year's event
The Richland County Sheriff’s Department will facilitate this women’s self defense course to teen girls and their mothers/guardians. The course is specifically for teen girls age 15-18 (14 year olds permitted with parent/guardian participation). Mothers are encouraged to participate with their daughters, but it is not required. This is a crime prevention program that utilizes techniques that are specifically designed for women to reduce the likelihood of victimization. This program empowers women to recognize their strengths and make sound decisions when faced with potentially dangerous situations.