Throughout April, MCADV staff had the opportunity to stand alongside communities across Mississippi in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Child Abuse Prevention Month. From connecting with parents and children at Friends of Children Head Start in Carthage, to joining Catholic Charities Jackson Victim Services for the Stroll Around the Capitol in support of victims and survivors of sexual assault and rape, each event created space for awareness, healing, and connection. Staff also participated in the Mississippi Army National Guard SAPR Team’s 3rd Annual Teal Pancake Brunch and supported the Child Abuse Prevention and Sexual Assault Awareness Outreach event with the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, where children and families were encouraged to take part in activities that uplift prevention, education, and family safety.
These moments remind us that recognizing SAAM is about more than awareness. It is about showing up with care, listening with compassion, and making sure survivors and families know they are not alone. From the SAPR Team’s focus on respectful and safe environments to the Breaking the Silence Sickle Cell Walk and Health Fair in Webb, where MCADV shared domestic violence resources in a rural community, each event opened the door for meaningful conversations and stronger connections. Because sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse, and other forms of harm often overlap, community education and partnership are essential to building safer, more supportive spaces across Mississippi.
