This month, you are sure to see a trademark teal ribbon in the windows of local businesses, on the backs of cars and pinned to the shirts of local advocates.

Though they may be decorative, the ribbons serve a higher purpose — to signify that April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

Officially first observed in 2001, Sexual Assault Awareness Month is an annual campaign to raise public awareness about sexual assault and educate communities and individuals on how to prevent sexual violence.

Though there are certainly some who believe that sexual assault is not prevalent in our society or a thing of the past, sexual assault is still very much an epidemic in today’s era of #metoo and #timesup.

Though numbers may vary based on reporting source, one in six American women and one in 33 American men have been victims of attempted or completed rape, according to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network. These numbers disproportionately affect minorities and people of color. A 2015 Department of Justice report claimed that an American is sexually assaulted every 98 seconds.

With statistics like these, Sexual Assault Awareness Month is a needed source of education and prevention awareness. It is a month where we can all stand up for survivors of sexual violence and show them our support. It is a month where we can use our voices for those who cannot use theis to demand that our cities and country do more to address sexual violence where we live.

If you want to get involved in the fight against sexual violence this month, there are plenty of opportunities through local organizations.

For example, Domestic and Sexual Abuse Services, which services survivors throughout Cass, Van Buren and St. Joseph counties, will be hosting its annual Survivor Stomp, a 5K run and 1.4 mile walk to raise awareness about sexual violence, at 9 a.m. April 27 at Russ Forest Park in Decatur. The organization also offers many volunteer opportunities throughout the year. To learn more about the organization and how you can get involved, visit dasasmi.org.

In Dowagiac and Sister Lakes, a new organization, I Will Run Free, was started to help women who feel unsafe running alone at night by having volunteer groups run together. This summer, the group will host a fundraiser 5K and 10K. To learn how you can get involved, visit iwillrunfree.org.

Whether you are volunteering with an organization like DASAS or just telling a woman or man you know that you believe them when they share their story, let’s put on a teal ribbon and stand up for survivors of sexual violence this month — and every month of the year.