Every April, Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) reminds us that while we’ve come a long way in how we talk about sex, consent, and boundaries, but the conversation is far from over. 

At Please, we believe pleasure and empowerment go hand-in-hand, and neither can exist without safety, agency, and respect.

But here’s the reality: sexual violence remains alarmingly common, especially in South Africa, where the statistics are nothing short of devastating.

Understanding the Scope

Sexual assault doesn’t just happen in the shadows, it’s embedded in our culture, our silence, our systems. According to SAPS, over 42,000 rapes were reported in South Africa between April 2022 and March 2023. That’s reported. Studies estimate that only 1 in 9 sexual assaults are ever formally reported, and for women, queer individuals, and marginalised communities, that number may be even lower.

These numbers tell a story, but they still don’t capture the full weight of what it means to live in a world where bodily autonomy isn't guaranteed. Fear, stigma, and systemic failure keep survivors quiet, and too often, alone.

What Awareness Actually Means

Awareness isn’t just about recognising that sexual violence exists, it’s about interrogating why it does. It’s about challenging the culture of victim-blaming, questioning outdated ideas around gender and power, and creating safer, more consent-conscious spaces in everyday life.

This month, we’re inviting you to reflect, speak up, and learn more. Whether you’ve experienced assault, know someone who has, or want to become a better ally, your voice, presence, and action matter.

Consent Education: More Than Just a Word

One of the most effective tools in preventing sexual violence is comprehensive consent education. This means:

• Teaching that consent must be clear, enthusiastic, and ongoing.
• Acknowledging that coercion, power imbalances, and intoxication can make consent impossible.
• Emphasising that past consent does not equal future consent.

Understanding consent at this level means moving beyond vague ideas of “yes” or “no” and recognising the nuances that exist in real-life dynamics. It’s also about shifting the culture, from entitlement to respect.

Supporting Survivors

To anyone who’s experienced sexual violence: we see you. We believe you. You deserve support, safety, and healing, on your own terms.

Support looks different for everyone. For some, it’s therapy or community. For others, it’s being believed. For many, it’s simply having their boundaries respected going forward.

We’ll be sharing resources and partner organisations throughout the month. Because the path to healing isn’t linear, but no one should have to walk it alone.

What You Can Do

• Educate yourself – Read up on consent, sexual violence, and the ways power shows up in sex and relationships.
  
  
• Speak up – Call out rape culture when you hear it. Language matters.
  
  
• Support survivor – led organisations – Whether through donations, volunteering, or amplifying their work.
  
  
• Practice consent daily – Not just in sex, but in how you interact, touch, speak, and share space.
  
  
• Keep learning – Awareness is the beginning, not the end.
  

This Is Just the Start

We know this topic is vast, complex, emotional, and often overwhelming. This article isn’t meant to cover it all. It’s here to mark the start of an ongoing, necessary conversation we’ll be deepening throughout April. Because at the heart of pleasure, play, and connection is care.

This month, we honour survivors. We challenge the status quo. And we commit to a world where everyone’s boundaries are respected, without question.

Support & Resources in South Africa

If you or someone you know needs support, here are some places to start:

• Rape Crisis Cape Town Trust – 24-hour helpline: 021 447 9762 | rapecrisis.org.za
  
  
• Tears Foundation – SMS “HELP” to 4357 | tears.co.za
  
  
• LifeLine South Africa – National helpline: 0861 322 322 | lifelinesa.co.za
  
  
• Thuthuzela Care Centres – Government-run support centres providing comprehensive services for survivors. Find one near you at: justice.gov.za