Raising Public Awareness

Public awareness puts the spotlight on your SART's goals and accomplishments and educates the community about available intervention and prevention education services. Public awareness can also inform the community about the causes and effects of sexual violence. Publicizing this information not only lends support to SART-specific services and prevention education efforts, it also educates community members who may be called to support victims after victims disclose that they have been sexually assaulted or to serve as jurors in such cases.

In terms of sustainability, public awareness can go a long way toward making your SART permanent. Public awareness campaigns can expand alliances, promote growth, and educate community members.

• Expand community alliances. Some potential supporters might be willing to support a specific activity of your SART even though they might not be willing to support all of the team's work. For example, schools and colleges may support sexual assault prevention education programs rather than SART's intervention services.
• Propel SARTs forward. Ongoing public awareness could promote more diversified grant funding and resource support. Getting support from various sources gives you more financial certainty. For example, Sexual Assault Awareness Month activities can publicize the value of SARTs to victims, service providers, and the community.
Read More
In This Toolkit: Resources: Social Marketing and Public Awareness Campaigns
• Support policy changes. Public awareness campaigns can educate and influence communities to support policies that increase victim-centered services and criminal and civil justice objectives. One of the most popular and effective ways to build support for policy change is to work with the media. For example, the Cuyahoga County SART contacted a local radio program and offered to host a "Call the Cops" radio show. During the broadcast, the team members described the purpose and practices of the Cuyahoga County SART, discussed local and national sexual assault statistics, and answered questions from listeners.