An art installation will be displayed on the lawn of Blacktown Hospital to highlight the importance of acting together to address sexual violence and foster healing.
The project will highlight the voices of survivors of sexual violence, alongside insights from Western Sydney Local Health District staff and local community members.
The installation will take place on April 23 and raise awareness for Sexual Assault Awareness Month, offering an opportunity to reflect on how we can all contribute to creating change.
Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) spans the whole month of April, promoting community partnership to support those affected by sexual violence.
Integrated Violence Prevention & Response Service Counsellors will be available to speak with attendees about the support services available to those in need.
Sexual Assault Awareness Month is not just about learning; it’s about acting.
Sexual violence occurs when someone engages in sexual acts without another person’s consent.
This includes touching someone in a sexual way without consent, forcing someone to perform a sexual act, rape, sexual harassment, intimidating someone with sexual threats or trafficking individuals for sexual exploitation.
Sexual violence isn’t always physical.
It can also include making inappropriate sexual comments, asking invasive questions, or creating an uncomfortable environment.
It’s important to remember that modern forms of slavery, such as forced labour, can also involve sexual violence.
Using sexual violence is a choice, which hurts others.
People engaging in sexually violent behaviour often try to control victims through manipulation, threats, or lies.
Some of the tactics used include ignoring the victim’s resistance, shouting or saying hurtful things, making the victim afraid to speak out, taking away the victim’s money, belongings, or connections to loved ones, blaming the victim for what happened, pretending to be sorry without changing their behaviour, gaslighting the victim, making them feel at fault.
These behaviours are unacceptable and harmful.
As a community, we all have a part to play in ending sexual violence.
By openly discussing respect, consent, and how to support victim/survivors, we can foster a safer environment for everyone.
Whether it’s supporting others, being kind and understanding, or simply raising awareness, every action counts.