April is National Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Together We Act, United We Change is the theme. Learn the latest statistics, access survivor resources, and explore how Andreozzi + Foote is holding institutions accountable through civil lawsuits.
April is more than a month—it’s a movement.
National Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) is a time to center survivors, educate the public, and ignite meaningful change. As a survivor and lifelong advocate, I know all too well the weight of silence. But we are done being quiet.
Every April, we come together not just to raise awareness—but to demand accountability, justice, and healing. Sexual violence touches every community, every demographic, and every institution. It thrives in secrecy, but it cannot survive when we speak truth to power.
The Reality: Sexual Assault by the Numbers
Sexual assault is not rare. It is rampant.
- 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men experience sexual violence involving physical contact during their lifetimes.
- 1 in 6 boys and 1 in 4 girls will experience sexual abuse before the age of 18.
- The majority of victims know their abuser—and often, the abuser is in a position of power or trust.
- Less than 25% of victims report their assault, and even fewer see criminal justice outcomes.
These statistics are horrifying—but they are also empowering. Because with knowledge, comes power. And with power, comes change.
Civil Lawsuits: Holding Institutions Accountable
Far too often, survivors are failed by the criminal justice system. But civil litigation offers another path to justice—and Andreozzi + Foote is leading the way.
The past few months, several high-profile cases have made headlines:
- Baltimore City’s Department of Public Welfare and Jewish Community Services (JCS) Andreozzi + Foote is representing Four survivors—E.M.C., E.W.C., P.G., and E.J.—have bravely stepped forward, filing a lawsuit against these institutions for failing to protect them from sexual predators while in the Spurrier Foster Home.
- McDonogh School in Owings Mills, Maryland: A group of former students has come forward to file a lawsuit against McDonogh School, alleging that multiple faculty members sexually abused students from the 1960s through the 1980s. The lawsuit, filed under Maryland’s Child Victims Act (CVA), claims that school officials not only failed to protect students but also ignored red flags and prior reports of abuse.
- University Park Church of Christ (formerly Collesville Road Church of Christ) and Warren Berkley The plaintiff, identified as John Doe to protect his privacy, is alleging that Warren Berkley, while serving as a youth leader at the church, engaged in sexual misconduct starting in 1987 when the plaintiff was only 13 years old. The complaint asserts that the church failed in its duty to protect children in its care, ignoring red flags and failing to implement child protection measures.
These cases send a clear message: no institution is above accountability. When schools, churches, and trusted organizations fail to protect children, civil litigation becomes a powerful tool for justice, healing, and reform.
Survivors Deserve More Than Awareness—They Deserve Action
Awareness is only the beginning. We must:
- Believe survivors without hesitation.
- Fund prevention education in schools and communities.
- Support trauma-informed services that center survivor healing.
- Demand policy reforms that remove barriers to justice, including statute of limitation extensions and mandatory reporting laws.
Survivor Resources
If you or someone you know is a survivor of sexual violence, please know: you are not alone, and it is not your fault. Help is available.
- RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network): 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) – https://www.rainn.org
- National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC): https://www.nsvrc.org
- Victims Civil Attorneys – Andreozzi + Foote: https://www.victimscivilattorneys.com
This April, let’s do more than wear teal. Let’s stand up, speak out, and fight back.
Because justice isn’t just possible—it’s necessary. And survivors don’t need our pity. They need our action.
