April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). The mission of SAAM is to increase public understanding of sexual assault and educate communities on how to prevent it. We know that a single month isn’t enough to address the significant and widespread problem of sexual assault. However, April holds space for the attention, prevention efforts, and survivor support we hope to strengthen and expand throughout the year.

Sexual Assault Awareness Month 2024 Events

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All Month

Teal Chair Project
Various Local Businesses

The Teal Chair Project serves as a reminder that no one has to go through the aftermath of sexual violence alone. The chairs are intended to also remind us that sexual violence happens right here in McLean County. Stop by a participating local business to show your support!

April 01

The Clothesline Project 
11 am - 2 pm  |  Illinois State University

The Clothesline Project is a visual display bearing witness to violence against individuals. During the public display, a clothesline is hung with shirts decorated to represent an individual's experience, made by the survivor or a loved one.

April 02

Sexual Assault Panel Discussion  
5 pm  |  Illinois Wesleyan University

Join Stepping Stones advocates and volunteers for a conversation highlighting our support services and affirming survivors' rights.

April 05

The Clothesline Project 
Downtown Bloomington First Friday
5-8 pm  |  McLean County Museum of History

The Clothesline Project is a visual display bearing witness to violence against individuals. During the public display, a clothesline is hung with shirts decorated to represent an individual's experience, made by the survivor or a loved one.

April 15

Support Table
10 am - 1 pm  |  Heartland Community College

YWCA Stepping Stones will be in attendance to raise awareness of our services among college students. Stop by the support table to learn about our services, meet our staff and show your support for survivors of sexual assault.

April 15

Consent Day Support Table
11 am - 3 pm  |  Illinois State University

Explore consent and its vital role in healthy relationships for Consent Day. Visit with campus student organizations, learn how to empower yourself to communicate consent, and take a pledge to commit to consent and helping end sexual violence. 

April 15 - 19

The Clothesline Project 
Heartland Community College

The Clothesline Project is a visual display bearing witness to violence against individuals. During the public display, a clothesline is hung with shirts decorated to represent an individual's experience, made by the survivor or a loved one.

April 18

Support Table
10 am - 1 pm  |  Heartland Community College

YWCA Stepping Stones will be in attendance to raise awareness of our services among college students. Stop by the support table to learn about our services, meet our staff and show your support for survivors of sexual assault.

April 24

Wear Denim Day Support Table
11 am - 2 pm  |  Illinois State University

Denim Day is a campaign that aims to raise awareness about sexual violence and education. It began as a protest against the 1998 Italian Supreme Court decision that overturned a rape conviction because the victim was wearing tight jeans. Denim Day's purpose is to start conversations about attitudes surrounding sexual assault, such as victim blaming.

April 27

Final Steps Awareness Walk  
10 am - 12 pm  |  Miller Park

Join us in supporting survivors and Sexual Assault Awareness Month with a peaceful and accessible walk around the pond at Miller Park. Tables will be stationed along the route to provide information about Stepping Stones, kid's games and a therapeutic art activity.

Registration is not required, but encouraged to reserve a SAAM shirt. Register below.

Final Steps Awareness Walk

Join us for a relaxing walk around the pond at Miller Park to raise awareness of Sexual Assault Awareness Month and show support for survivors!

By participating, you can help support survivors and raise awareness about the compounding impact of sexual violence. Participants will walk together to show their support for survivors and help create a safer and more supportive community.

Let's lace up our sneakers and walk together to show our support for survivors of sexual violence!

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The Clothesline Project

In the summer of 1990, a coalition of women's groups on Cape Cod developed a program that would educate, break the silence and bear witness to violence against individuals.

The concept was simple - let each person tell their story in their own unique way, using words and/or artwork to decorate their shirt. Once finished, they would then hang their shirt on the clothesline. This very action serves many purposes:

  1. It acts as an educational tool for those who come to view the Clothesline
  2. It allows those who are still suffering in silence to understand that they are not alone
  3. It becomes a healing tool for anyone who makes a shirt - by hanging the shirt on the line, survivors, friends and family can literally turn their back on some of that pain of their experience and walk away
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The Teal Chair Project

The Teal Chair Project raises awareness about incidents of sexual violence, sexual harassment, stalking, and other forms of interpersonal violence and the impact that not only has on survivors but on their families and the community as a whole.

Teal Chairs remind us that no one has to go through the aftermath of sexual violence alone. The chairs also remind us that sexual violence happens right here in McLean County.

Look for the teal chairs at one of our local business partners:

BCAI Cultural Arts & Humanities
Bloomington Police Department
Bloomington Public Library
Bloomington Spice Works
Bloomington-Normal Barber College
BobzBay
Campustown Supply Inc
Coffeehound
Common Grounds
Cookies by Design
Crossroads Fair Trade Goods & Gifts
Farrell's eXtreme Bodyshaping
First United Methodist Church
Fleet Feet
Fort Jesse Cafe
Fortify Salon
Fusion Brew
Galaxy Nails
Gigi Bottega
Graham Crackers Comics of Normal, IL
Green Top Grocery
Habitat for Humanity of McLean County
Habitat for Humanity Restore
Heartland Community College
Hewitt-Manchester
HSHM Activity Center
Illinois Tattoo Co.
Illinois Wesleyan University

Insomnia Cookies
ISU Common Area
ISU Counseling
ISU Criminal Justice Sciences
ISU Office of the Provost
ISU Performing Arts Center
ISU School of Music
ISU Speech and Hearing Center
ISU Students Ending Rape Culture
ISU Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
K-9 Country Club
LaLa Boutique
Maguire's
Main Street Yoga
Marquise Jewlers
MCCA
McLean County State's Attorney
Normal Police Department
Normal Public Library
North Street Records
OhmFit Activewear
Paul's Upholstery
Project Oz
Pub II
RE/MAX CHOICE
Reckless Saint
Serendipity Mercantile
Shake It Up Cocktail Lounge & Eatery

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Shockwaves Skateboards
Smokin Aces Tattoo
Society the Salon
Starbucks (Uptown Normal)
The Bistro
The Garlic Press
The Hangar Art Co.
The Olive Bin
The Painted Wraith
The Workout Company Training Club
Under the Ground Blo-No
University Galleries
Vera & Buck
Victor's Alterations
Vitesse Cycle Shop
Yarn Garden

Help ensure survivors have access to the services and support they need!

Become a Teal Chair Partner 
Become a Coaster Partner
  1. Contact Abigail Abbatacola ataabbatacola@ywcamclean.org
  2. A Teal Chair will be delivered to you
  3. Find a space for the chair. This space gives voice to survivors who are no longer with us, and it provides vital information to our community about the services and support that are available through Stepping Stones Hotline, Counseling, Advocacy and Prevention Education.
  4. Display chairs in front of businesses each Friday in April to show solidarity in the desire to End the Violence and Initiate Change.