Today April 1st is #StartByBelieving Day, the start of Sexual Assault Awareness Month & a public awareness + action campaign by End Violence Against Women International (EVAWI) to end the cycle of silence & change the response to sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking, + child sexual abuse.
Pledge graphic for the Start by Believing campaign
Me in a blue flannel with a thin teal stripe
I took the pledge to #StartByBelieving when sexual assault survivors come forward, and am helping #TurnSummitTeal (at least with the thin stripe in my flannel 😅).
Will you join me? 🩵
Announcement graphic stating that April 1st is Start By Believing Day, dedicated to raising awareness about sexual assault and the importance of believing survivors.
Explainer graphic answering ‘What is Start By Believing?’ and describing it as a public awareness campaign focused on responding to sexual assault survivors with belief and support instead of doubt, shame, or blame.
Text graphic describing Somerville’s commitment as a Start By Believing community and encouraging breaking the silence and supporting survivors.
Information graphic encouraging survivors of sexual violence to seek help, providing contact details for the Somerville Police Advocate, Maureen DiPaolo.
@cityofsomerville.bsky.social is declaring today #StartByBelieving Day.
It’s Sexual Assault Awareness Month this April, and we’re sharing how you can make a difference, City resources, and more all month long.
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and today, we #StartByBelieving. How we respond to someone who shares their experience of sexual assault matters. Learn ways to show up and be supportive at startbybelieving.org/what-to-say.
April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. Advocates start by believing, and that's why we're taking the pledge. We invite you to join us today by taking your own pledge and #startbybelieving.
#SAAPM #ArlingtonCountyVa #FallsChurchVA #WeBelieve
Start By Believing Day | Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Today, we kick off Start By Believing Day & the start of SA Awareness Month — a time to stand together, raise awareness, & support survivors. When someone shares their story, your response matters.
#StartByBelieving #SAAM
Come join us April 1st for a day of awareness & Easter fun! April is SA Awareness Month, and we’re inviting our community to come together for a special day dedicated to education, empowerment, & support. Bring your family, invite a friend, & come celebrate with us! #SAAM #StartByBelieving
Today, survivors of Jeffrey Epstein came together, ahead of the House vote, to courageously share their stories on Capitol Hill, demonstrating bravery and unity. These are just a few of the powerful moments captured today. We stand with all survivors.
#StartbyBelieving
Denver PD is shining a light on support for sexual assault survivors this April with their "Start by Believing" campaign! #SexualAssaultAwarenessMonth #Denver #StartByBelieving #SupportSurvivors 💙
Pink graphic with text that reads: "In one study, "emotional support from a friend was related to significantly better recovery" among sexual assault victims. At the bottom of the graphic, line art of two hands embracing crosses the image.
Pink graphic with text that reads: "63% of survivors didn't report their sexual assault because they were afraid they would be blamed for it." On the right side of the image, line art of a person is covered by a dark pink blob.
Pink graphic with text that reads: "43-52% of all sexual assault victims rate their experience with the criminal justice system as unhelpful or hurtful." On the right side of the image, line art of a person crossing their arms is covered by a dark pink blob.
Pink graphic with text that reads: "Statistics show that perpetrators don't just attack once -- many re-offend, often multiple times. One failed response can mean additional victims. Start By Believing is designed to change this." At the bottom, a line art crowd of people is depicted with different shades of purple, pink, and red blobs overlapping.
Statistics show that you can make a difference in helping survivors of sexual assault by greeting them with belief, support, and compassion.
#StartByBelieving
#GBV is so prevalent we don't acknowledge or notice or care. Let's stop pretending and get real. #SAAM #StartByBelieving
Mark your calendars! Come meet us Friday at the pavilion for an afternoon of family fun and SA awareness. #stopsexualviolencems #startbybelieving
#SAAM #EndVAWG #StartByBelieving #Justice Girls and women are entitled to safety at school, in the workplace, in public, and at home. Requiring a baseline of safety, access, and opportunity is not an extraordinary expectation. #Humanity
Be sure to mark your calendar! Join millions of others across the globe in proudly wearing denim on April 30th in support of SA survivors! To learn more about the history and meaning of Denim Day, visit https://denimday.org #stopsexualviolencems #startbybelieving #saam2025
The Somerville Police Department is excited to share the City of Somerville has joined the pledge to #StartByBelieving. The Somerville Police took the pledge in 2023 and with the collaboration of Mayor Ballantyne, the Somerville Commission for Women...
Full post:
www.facebook.com/SomervillePo...
Group photo of five individuals standing in the Mayor's Office at Somerville City Hall with two framed paintings and American flags in the background. The group includes four women in professional attire and a man in a police uniform.
A woman wearing glasses and a blue blazer is seated at a desk, signing a proclamation document with a pen. An American flag and another flag are partially visible in the background.
A woman wearing glasses and a blue blazer is seated at a desk, smiling and holding up an open folder displaying a proclamation document titled 'Start by Believing Day' from the City of Somerville.
Close-up of the proclamation document titled 'Start by Believing Day,' dated April 2, 2025, issued by the City of Somerville, Massachusetts, with detailed text and the mayor's signature at the bottom.
@mayorkatjana.bsky.social and the @cityofsomerville.bsky.social are joining the national campaign and recognizing today, April 2nd, as #StartByBelieving Day!
We're working to change the way we respond to sexual assault and stamp out violence in our community. We're Starting By Believing.
Today, I'm participating in #TurnSummitTeal and took the pledge to #StartByBelieving those with the courage to come forward as survivors of sexual violence. Thanks to Elliot Kolkovich, Summit County Prosecutor for promoting this critical camoaign!
Today is #StartByBelieving Day. You or someone you know was like Julianna…. Maybe her story sounds ridiculous to some — “How could she not know!?” Remember: When we’re young we don’t yet have a firm grip on what is & isn’t “normal”. We haven’t enough life experience yet. Cut young ppl some #slack.
Graphic sharing that I took the pledge to Start by Believing
Selfie in a teal shirt
Today I’m participating in #TurnSummitTeal and took the pledge to #StartByBelieving those with the bravery to come forward as survivors of sexual violence. Thanks to Summit County Prosecutor Elliot Kolkovich for promoting this important message!
We know that belief makes a huge difference in helping survivors feel supported! We'll be sharing pledges today and throughout April for Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and ask you to post your own pledges and share with our tags! #StartByBelieving #GCCFN #StopSexualViolenceMS #SAAM2025
Come out and join us April 25th as we enjoy a day of awareness, support, and family fun during Sexual Assault Awareness Month! This free, kid-friendly event will have resources and fun activities, lessons on body safety, and end with an egg hunt! #SAAM #stopsexualviolencems #startbybelieving
