April Facts
In 2020, NEWS team members served as emotional champions and advocacy experts during 89 sexual assault exams, and helped 246 clients navigate the court system.
If you are experiencing abuse or would just like some information, please call our help line, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
In November 2020, Coach Bailie began working with Mariposa Groups, a program of the Napa County Office of Education, to engage middle and high school girls in NEWS’ prevention education. Our curriculum empowers female-identified youth to take an active role in promoting healthy relationships, building positive girl culture and ending sexual violence. During short education sessions, students discuss the root causes of violence and generate new social norms.
In lieu of in-person meetings, the workshops were held in the virtual classroom, which turned out to be the perfect medium to have discussions on these important topics. 62 students in eight NVUSD schools participated in the program. Survey responses showed that participating students had significant increases in their ability to recognize abusive behaviors, increased self-image and confidence, and increased willingness to speak up and help their peers. The lessons learned were also the inspiration for our #NapaTeensKnow SAAM awareness campaign where Mariposa is taking the lead in creating social media content for April. We are very proud of the work of the Mariposa girls and look forward to future collaboration.
“Boundaries are good.”
“It’s okay to break stereotypes and love yourself for you and not change for anyone else.”
“We can all make change no matter what, where and who.”
These are just some of the takeaways from the Mariposa girls who have been working with Coach Bailie.
Get Involved in SAAM
Sexual Assault Awareness Month is an opportunity for everyone to get involved and bring awareness to sexual violence and how to stop it. We welcome you to join our events and check out our website for more information.
- All month long you can use our teal “I Support Survivors” Facebook Frame or SAAM Zoom backgrounds.
- Join us in wearing teal — the color of sexual assault prevention — on Tuesday, April 6th, to kick-off SAAM. Everyone has a role to play in ending sexual violence and showing your support for survivors by wearing teal is one way you can embrace your voice for change. Wearing teal during SAAM Day of Action serves as a conversation-starter for important issues about consent, respect, and supporting survivors.
- We’re collaborating with the Rainbow Action Network and First 5 Napa County on Saturday, April 17th for Virtual Story Time: Boss of My Body. There will be a reading of Sharee Miller’s “Don’t Touch My Hair” and discussion around consent, boundaries and respect. Register HERE.
- Wear jeans to take a stand against victim-blaming in honor of Denim Day – Wednesday, April 28th. Wearing jeans on Denim Day has become a symbol against destructive attitudes surrounding sexual assault and victim blaming.
Help Us Make a Difference
NEWS was formed in 1981 when a group of community members realized there was no safe place for women and children to go when they were fleeing abuse.
Sexual Assault Victim Services joined NEWS in 2010.
Today NEWS has grown into a strong organization with a dedicated group of staff and volunteers providing direct client services as well as shelter 24 hours a day/7 days a week, to approximately 1500 people each year.
