Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) is an annual campaign in April to raise public awareness about sexual assault and to educate communities and individuals on sexual violence prevention. By increasing awareness and providing resources and programs, education plays a crucial role in preventing sexual violence and supporting survivors.
Therefore, this Sexual Assault Awareness Month, we put together a list of books by survivors and for survivors, that portray sexual assault in realistic ways, in the hopes of educating and supporting. Understanding sexual violence is not just about learning the statistics or definitions; it’s about recognizing the real, human impact it has on individuals and communities.
Fiction Books
- The Way I Used to Be by Amber Smith – The story of a young woman who struggles to find strength in the aftermath of an assault
- The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky – A coming-of-age story in which a high school freshman, Charlie, struggles with derealization after childhood sexual abuse.
- Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson – The struggles that a high school freshman, Melinda, faces after being sexually assaulted over summer vacation.
- Women Talking by Miriam Toews – The story of the systemic sexual abuse experienced by a group of women in a Mennonite community.
Nonfiction Books
- The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel Van der Kolk – Explores how trauma affects the body and mind, offering insights into the long-term effects of domestic violence.
- Queering Sexual Violence: Radical Voices from Within the Anti-Violence Movement by Jennifer Patterson – A multi-gendered, multiracial, and multi-layered look at the role queer, transgender, and gender non-conforming survivors have in the anti-violence movement.
- Asking for It: the Alarming Rise of Rape Culture–and What We Can Do About It by Kate Harding – Explores the idea of rape culture and offers suggestions for how society can take rape more seriously without compromising the rights of the accused.
- Real Talk About Sex and Consent: What Every Teen Needs to Know by Cheryl M. Bradshaw – A comprehensive guide for teens with information about setting boundaries, coercion, reciprocity, and communication.
Memoirs/Collections
- Know My Name: A Memoir by Chanel Miller – The true story of the survivor of the Stanford rape case that received huge media coverage in the US.
- Not That Bad: Dispatches from Rape Culture by Roxane Gay – A collection of essays that explore what it means to live in a world where women have to measure the sexual harassment, violence, and aggression they face
- Dear Sister: Letters from Survivors of Sexual Violence by Lisa Factora-Borchers – A collection of stories from Artists, activists, mothers, writers and students of survival, and what it means to them to be an advocate and ally to survivors
- Written on the Body: Letters from Trans and Non-binary Survivors of Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence by Lexie Bean – An anthology of letters written by trans and non-binary survivors of sexual violence, offering support and guidance to fellow survivors with additional resources for allies and professionals.
- SHOUT by Laurie Halse Anderson – A poetry memoir written by author of Speak in response to how little has changed in the 20 years Speak was published.
- Home Body by Rupi Kaur – A collection of poetry that chronicles the sexual assault experienced by the author.
Kids Books
- Some Secrets Should Never be Kept by Jayneen Sanders – The story about a little boy who finds the courage to tell his mother about abuse. Helps provide children with the skills they need to protect themselves from sexual harm and to encourage them to always speak up if something is wrong.
- My Body Belongs to Me: A Book about Body Safety by Jill Starishevsky – Teaches young readers to recognize sexual abuse, to tell a parent or authority figure if they are abused, and encourages them to respect and love their bodies.
- I Said No! A Kid-to-Kid Guide to Keeping Private Parts Private by Zach and Kimberly King – Uses kid-friendly language and illustrations to help parents and concerned adults give kids guidance on healthy boundaries.
The media can be a great tool for increasing public awareness about sexual violence, but it can also pose challenges for some survivors. Portrayals of sexual violence in movies, television shows, the news, and social media can prompt negative reactions, from flashbacks and anxiety to feelings of sadness or irritability. Click here for a few ways to help limit your exposure to media that could prompt these uncomfortable experiences.
Tips for Survivors on Consuming Media
If you have questions or need help, call our 24/7/365 hotline at 1-800-228-1625.
