Mary’s Place Sexual Assault Center of the Coastal Empire, Inc. (formerly the Rape Crisis Center) announces the lineup of their community events and initiatives in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month that takes place every April. The National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) has centered this year’s month-long initiative around the theme of “together we act, united we change,” a message Mary’s Place embodies by providing support to survivors of sexual assault and envisioning a culture void of violence. 

This April, Mary’s Place is offering a wide variety of ways to participate, including a solidary walk, community initiative, educational summit, and benefit night. The full lineup of events include: 

• Jeans for Justice (month-long initiative in April) - Also known as Denim Day,” began in 1999 as part of an international protest of an Italian Supreme Court decision to overturn a rape conviction because the victim was wearing jeans. Utilize the symbolism of jeans to bring attention to sexual assault and to let others know that injustice will not be tolerated in your community. For more information, please visit https://marysplacega.org/jeans-for-justice/. 

• Solidarity Walk (6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Apr. 8 at Forsyth Park) – Join Mary’s Place for their Solidarity Walk, where all members of the community are invited to participate and provide support for others as participants walk in solidarity for the survivors of sexual assault. This uplifting event offers community members a unique opportunity to join in the effort to end sexual violence, show their support for survivors, and raise awareness of the programs and services offered by Mary’s Place. For more information, please visit https://marysplacega.org/solidarity-walk/.

• “Connected Voices, One Mission: Strengthening Trauma-Informed Responses to Sexual Assault” – Second Annual Responders Summit on Sexual Assault (10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Wednesday, Apr. 16 at Savannah Technical College Eckburg Auditorium) - This free training initiative is designed for a diverse array of professionals, including Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) Members, representatives from non-profit agencies, law enforcement officials, court administrators, school social workers, counselors, therapists, students pursuing related fields, and all individuals dedicated to providing support to survivors of sexual assault. Topics will include supporting survivors of sexual assault, trauma-informed interviewing and care, and self-care and secondary trauma. 

• “Find Your Voice” Lip Sync Competition (Friday, Apr. 25 at Victory North) - The competition returns to Victory North for a third year! This innovative fundraising event is to raise much needed funds and will once again offer guests delicious food and cocktails, a silent auction, and a chance to enjoy and vote for the teams competing for the 2025 ‘Find Your Voice’ awards. All proceeds benefit the organization's mission to support survivors of sexual assault and prevention education.  For more information, sponsorship and tickets please visit https://marysplacega.org/gala/. 

“Sexual Assault Awareness Month represents an important opportunity to shine light on an issue that affects so many, yet goes unspoken far too often,” said Mary’s Place Executive Director Doris L. Williams. “Our events this April are designed to spark conversation and empower individuals to know that there is a safe space where survivors can feel seen, heard, and supported. It’s together that we can turn awareness into action.” 

For more information including registration, tickets, and sponsorship opportunities, please visit https://marysplacega.org/events/. 

Based in Savannah and serving seven counties in the Coastal Empire, Mary’s Place provides a wide range of services including a 24/7 crisis line, SANE Advocacy Support, Forensics Medical Exam, Court Accompaniment, Counseling, Temporary Protective Order (TPO) Service, Prevention Awareness, Educational outreach, and more. The nonprofit understands that not only women face sexual violence, but all communities regardless of sex or gender identity. Through education and prevention awareness. Mary’s Place hopes to reduce stigma around asking for help and ultimately reduce the number of survivors. 

Mary's Place is committed to supporting survivors of sexual assault in the Coastal Empire and to implementing vital prevention and educational programs across the region.