In support of National Sexual Assault Awareness Month, WomenShelter of Long Beach has organized a series of free workshops and social media campaigns to honor survivors, help raise awareness and educate the community about how to prevent sexual assault.

The first of the webinars is a collaboration with Cal State Long Beach, titled “Rape Culture & Media Representations.” The presentation is an in-depth discussion of rape culture, from myths to stereotypes, and how the media has perpetuated the objectification and sexualization of women and their bodies. You can watch the hour-long webinar online Monday, April 12 at 6:30 p.m. Register online, here.

On Tuesday, April 13 at 3 p.m. audiences can tune in to “When Home Hurts: Understanding Where Intimate Partner Violence & Sexual Abuse Intersect,” a presentation in collaboration with the YWCA of Greater Los Angeles, a women’s membership organization focused on eliminating racism and empowering women. Register online, here.

On April 22, WomenShelter encourages the public to participate in the “Tie One to End Child Abuse” event by posting a photo of yourself (or you’re pet) wearing a tie on social media using the hashtags #TieOne #ChildAbusePreventionMonth or #TieOne2021. This campaign is predominantly about raising awareness and showing solidarity online, but for those who’d like to take an extra step, participants can also download a special sign provided by WomenShelter, and write down one way you believe child abuse can be prevented. Download the sign, which is available in English and Spanish, here.

April 28 is Denim Day, an internationally recognized campaign that raises awareness about sexual assault and honors the victims and survivors. The campaign was famously started in 1999 in response to an Italian Supreme Court ruling that overturned a rape conviction due to the victim wearing “tight jeans,” implying consent because only the victim would have been able to remove the jeans herself. Those who would like to stand in solidarity are encouraged to post a picture of themselves in jeans on social media using the hashtag, #DenimDay2021.

WomenShelter said to be on the lookout for a post with the organization’s own female staff wearing jeans in solidarity.

Click here for more information from the WomenShelter Long Beach.