This month, Asian Services In Action (ASIA) joins Asian American Community Services (AACS) in a campaign to raise public awareness about sexual assault in the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community.

Sexual Assault Awareness Month, #SAAM, is an annual campaign in April to educate and raise awareness about sexual violence and how to prevent it. This year, #SAAM celebrates its 15th anniversary with the theme “Prevention is possible”.

AACS launched the social media campaign #APIConsent to start an open dialogue about sex and sexual assault often stigmatized in the Asian community. As part of the Ohio API Sexual Assault (SA) Coalition, ASIA joins the #APIConsent campaign to break the stigma surrounding the Asian community to support healthy relationships for everyone.

Sexual assault is a public health issues affecting women, men, children, families and communities. Victims of sexual assault often experience short-term consequences including guilt, shame, fear, numbness, shock and feelings of isolation.

Nearly 40%-60% of Asian women report experiencing physical and/or sexual violence by an intimate partner during her lifetime, high than the national rates. 70% of Cambodians, 61% of Chinese, 80% of Koreans, 79% of South Asian, and 72% of Vietnamese men and women reported being hit regular as children (link).

You can take part in the #APIconsent social media campaign by by promoting safe behaviors, thoughtful policies and health relationships everyday. Download the #APIconsent template, and upload your sign with the hashtag #APIconsent on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.