Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program (IPVAP)
Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM)
April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM). It is an annual campaign observed in the United States during the month of April to raise public awareness about sexual assault or threatening sexual harassment, educate communities on prevention strategies, and support survivors.
Did you know that 81% of women and 43% of men report experiencing sexual harassment and/or assault in their lifetime? Over 50% of these reported that the assault was from an intimate partner or close acquaintance.
That is why, each April, and throughout the year, the intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program (IPVAP) partners with the Military Sexual Trauma (MST) program and Assault and Harassment Prevention Office (AHPO) to provide awareness and resources for those who work with Veterans impacted by sexual violence. Whether it happened one year ago or 50 years ago, VA is here to support survivors’ healing.
Resources
- VHA Assault and Harassment Prevention Office (AHPO)
- National IPVAP Website
- For more information or to receive assistance, contact your local Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program (IPVAP) Coordinator
- Military Sexual Trauma (MST) Office
- There are MST coordinator at every VA medical facility to serve as a contact person for MST-related issues. MST Coordinator
- Veterans can confidentially report incidents of sexual assault or harassment that occur at VA facilities by calling 1-800-MyVA411 (1-800-698-2411) and selecting option 9.
- Beyong MST app - a free, secure, trauma-sensitive mobile app that was created specifically to support the health and well-being of survivors of sexual assault or harassment during military service, also called military sexual trauma (MST).
- National Domestic Violence Hotline* If you or someone you know is in need of support, immediate and confidential help is available 24/7 through the National Domestic Violence Hotline by visiting thehotline.org, calling 1-800-799-7233 (TTY 1-800-787-3224), or texting “START” to 88788.
- Veterans Crisis Line
- myPlan App: Safety Planning Application*
- VA National Social Work
- National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC)
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Need Help? VA offers Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services for all employees, available at any time. Contact EAP at 1-800-222-0364.
For more information or assistance, contact your local Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program Coordinator, Primary Care Social Worker, or other Provider. Women Veterans can also ask for the Women Veterans Program Manager.
Not yet a patient at VA?
Find help in the community by calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233 (SAFE) or TTY 1−800−787−3224.
* Links with an asterisk (*) next to them will take you outside the VA website. VA is not responsible for the content of the linked site. This link does not constitute endorsement of the non-VA website or its sponsor.
