Stand and believe, Arizona: How unity can prevent violence before it happens

Bailey DeRoest

Submitted photo

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Every April, we recognize Sexual Assault Awareness Month — a time to center the voices of survivors, raise awareness and take action to prevent sexual violence. But for those of us who work alongside survivors every day, this month is more than just awareness. It’s a call to do better as a community.

This year’s SAAM theme, “Together We Act, United We Change,” underscores a powerful truth: it will take all of us — survivors, advocates, families, neighbors, educators and leaders — to create a world where everyone is safe, respected and free from violence.

At Sojourner Center, we’ve seen firsthand the impact sexual violence has on individuals and families. Survivors often come to us feeling isolated, afraid and unsure of how to rebuild their lives. Many carry the added burden of not being believed. That’s why we center our work on a simple but transformative principle: believe survivors.

Believing survivors isn’t just compassionate — it’s preventative. When we listen without judgment, we begin to dismantle the stigma and shame that too often silence survivors and allow abuse to continue unchecked. And when we raise our voices in support, we create space for healing and community resilience.

But prevention must start before harm occurs. Here are four ways we can all contribute:

Promote healthy relationships

Teaching consent, boundaries and respect — especially to young people — lays the groundwork for a culture where violence has no place. Organizations like Sojourner Center offer educational programming to schools and community groups to help shift these norms early.

Challenge harmful language and media

Accepting sexist jokes, objectifying comments or media that trivializes sexual violence normalizes abuse. Speak up, challenge harmful narratives and choose media that promotes consent, respect and equity. Your choices and voice can shift culture — and culture shapes behavior.

Create safe, empowered spaces

Making spaces where people feel seen, heard and safe to speak up. Spaces — at home, in schools, workplaces, and communities — where survivors are believed, where harm is taken seriously and where there's support without shame.

Create community accountability

Everyone can play a role in interrupting harmful behavior. Bystander intervention strategies — like creating a distraction, checking in directly or enlisting help — can stop violence before it escalates. When we look out for one another, we create safer spaces.

Sexual violence is not inevitable. It’s preventable. But we must be willing to have hard conversations, listen deeply and act boldly. That includes confronting the myths that downplay survivors’ experiences, as well as supporting services that provide them with real paths to safety and healing.

Sojourner Center’s trauma-informed advocates provide 24/7 crisis support, shelter and long-term services for survivors of sexual violence, domestic violence and human trafficking. We walk alongside survivors every step of the way — helping them reclaim their voice, their safety and their future.

As we observe Sexual Assault Awareness Month, I ask: how will you be part of the change? Wear teal, the color of sexual violence prevention and a powerful symbol of solidarity with survivors. Start conversations that break the silence. Educate yourself and others. Challenge harmful behavior when you hear it, whether it’s a dismissive comment of harmful stereotypes. Believe survivors.

Together, we can act. United, we can change the future for survivors. Because no one should ever face the impacts of sexual violence alone.

Editor’s note: Bailey DeRoest is co-executive director of the Sojourner Center, a Phoenix-based nonprofit that assists survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence and human trafficking. Please send your comments to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.