PARIS – April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a time to focus on preventing the incidents of and devastating effects of sexual violence. The Rape Education And Crisis Hotline will have many events during the month. Two will be the Survivor Art Exhibit and SpeakOut.

The Survivor Art Exhibit will open Friday, April 8. It is a safe place for survivors and victims of sexual violence to display their art and be witnessed compassionately. Art can be shown anonymously.

The exhibit will be hung at the REACH office at 1 East Main St. in South Paris. If interested in displaying work, people should contact Heather at 743-9777 or heather@reachmaine.org.

SpeakOut is a time for victims and survivors of sexual violence to join in a safe and supportive environment to speak out about the impact of sexual assault and/or sexual abuse has had on their life. It can be done through the sharing of stories, poetry, song, dance or other expressive means.

SpeakOut is also a time for the community to support victims and survivors in their healing and to make a statement that sexual violence is not acceptable. The event will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, April 10. REACH has held a SpeakOut every April for more than 20 years. Anyone interested in speaking or performing should contact Mary at 743-9777 or mary@reachmaine.org.

A calendar of events will soon be available with listings of other events. REACH will have teal sexual assault awareness ribbons and wristbands for purchase.