Mary’s Place Sexual Assault Center of the Coastal Empire, formerly the
Rape Crisis Center, is slated to host an impressive lineup of community events and initiatives as part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) this April. This year, Mary’s Place will be hosting a press conference and
lighting up the City of Savannah’s City Hall (2 E. Bay Street) to kick off SAAM on Wednesday, April 1 st on the steps of City Hall. The press conference is open to the public and attendees are encouraged to arrive at 7:30
p.m. with the building lighting happening at 7:45 p.m.

“Sexual assault touches every community within our region, and I want all these communities to know that Mary’s Place is here for them to support survivors and prevent future incidents. We encourage the community
to join our mission and participate in this year’s exciting lineup of events- whether it be as a supporter, volunteer or sponsor,” said Doris L. Williams, Executive Director.

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. 7 at Forsyth Park bandshell) – Join Mary’s Place for their
  Solidarity Walk, where all members of the community are invited to participate and provide support for
  others as we 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/. 
• Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) Third Annual Summit (9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Wednesday, Apr.
  15 at Savannah Technical College Eckburg Auditorium) - This free training initiative is designed for
  a diverse array of professionals, including SART Team 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. For more information, please visit https://marysplacega.org/summit-2026/.
• “Find Your Voice” Lip Sync Competition (7 p.m. Friday, Apr. 24 at Victory North) - The competition
  returns to Victory North for a fourth year! This innovative fundraising event will once again offer guests
  delicious food and cocktails, free valet parking, a silent auction, and a chance to enjoy and vote for the
  teams competing for the 2026 ‘Find Your Voice’ awards. All proceeds benefit our mission to support
  survivors of sexual assault and prevention education. For more information, please visit
  https://marysplacega.org/gala/.

For more information on these events including registration, tickets, and sponsorship opportunities, please visit
https://marysplacega.org/events/.
 
Mary’s Place: Sexual Assault Center of the Coastal Empire exists to provide support and information to survivors of rape and sexual abuse, and their families, and provide community education and sexual assault prevention programs for all ages. 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, hospital accompaniment, support groups, 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 Empireand to implementing vital prevention and educational programs across the region.