It’s Time to Talk About It: Sexual Assault Awareness Month at Firefly Therapy

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month—a time to speak up, shine a light, and take action. At Firefly Therapy, we believe in breaking silence, building community, and helping survivors reclaim their voice and power. This month is not just about statistics and somber conversations (though those matter too). It’s about real people—many of them women—navigating the world with invisible wounds, trying to find safety, healing, and hope.

This month, more than ever, we stand up and speak out against sexual assault. According to RAINN, “every 68 seconds an American is sexually assaulted, and every 9 minutes, the victim is a child.” These numbers are staggering—and unacceptable.

We stand tall with all survivors and will not stay quiet until we see an end to this horrific crime. We support all survivors, wherever they are in their healing journey. We acknowledge those who are just discovering that they are survivors of sexual assault. We recognize those who have yet to disclose or seek help. We see those who are fighting with all their might to heal and recover. We honor and support you all.

Let us all feel the positive energy coming from others who are speaking out against sexual violence and realize that together, our voice is powerful. We will never accept sexual violence as a part of life.

Why Awareness Still Matters

To anyone who wonders, haven't we talked about this enough? The truth is: not even close. We live in a culture where victim-blaming still happens, where “gray areas” are used to dismiss survivors’ pain, and where silence is often safer than honesty. Awareness matters because far too many people still suffer quietly. Survivors are often met with doubt, minimization, or shame.

Awareness brings language to experiences that often feel unspeakable. It validates, educates, and empowers. It says: You’re not alone. We believe you. And you deserve to heal.

For the Woman Still Carrying It

Maybe what happened to you was years ago. Maybe it happened just last month. Maybe it was someone you trusted—someone you still see. If you haven’t told anyone, or if you have and weren’t believed, please know this: your experience is valid. Your healing is not on anyone else’s timeline. And there is no “right way” to process trauma.

At Firefly Therapy, many of the women we work with carry this particular pain. They are bright, capable, resilient—and they are often exhausted from holding it all together. They’ve mastered compartmentalization, they’ve minimized their trauma, and they’ve learned to keep going.

But what if this April, instead of just surviving, you took one step toward healing?

What Healing Can Look Like

Healing from sexual violence is not linear. It’s messy, brave, and deeply personal. For some women, it looks like finally saying it out loud—to a therapist, to a friend, or even just to themselves. For others, it’s joining a support group where no one has to explain the weight they carry. Healing might mean setting boundaries, writing your story, or simply deciding that your pain matters.

At Firefly Therapy, we offer individual and group therapy designed specifically for survivors of sexual trauma. These groups are confidential, therapist-led spaces where you can be seen and heard—without judgment, without pressure. Sometimes, the simple act of being in a room (or Zoom screen) with others who get it can be incredibly transformative.

We also offer one-on-one therapy if group settings aren’t your thing. Every healing journey is different, and we’re here to walk alongside you, wherever you are.

How to Support Someone You Love

If someone you care about has experienced sexual assault, the most important thing you can do is listen. Believe them. Don’t ask invasive questions. Don’t try to fix it. Offer your presence, your compassion, and your patience.

Phrases like “I’m so sorry this happened to you,” or “You didn’t deserve this,” can go a long way. Encourage them to seek support, but never pressure them. Let them lead their healing journey—your role is to walk beside them, not direct the path.

Let’s Rewrite the Story

Sexual Assault Awareness Month isn’t just about education—it’s about empowerment. It’s about reclaiming our narratives, breaking generational cycles, and creating spaces where women feel safe, supported, and strong.

This April, we invite you to do one thing to honor this movement. Maybe it’s reaching out for therapy. Maybe it’s checking in with a friend. Maybe it’s sharing a post, attending an event, or simply reading and reflecting.

We don’t heal in silence. We heal in community. And at Firefly Therapy, we’re here to light the way.