Sexual Assault Awareness Month 2026
Sexual Assault Awareness Month is an international movement dedicated to ending sexual violence. It is a time to stand together as a community - to reflect on progress, listen, learn, and take meaningful action to prevent sexual violence.
This April, Sexual Assault Support Service (SASS) is partnering with community organisations and sporting clubs across Tasmania to promote safer, more respectful environments through our Play it Safe campaign. Sport brings people together. It shapes culture, connection and belonging. When respect is visible in our clubs, on our tracks and in our shared spaces, everyone benefits.
We have partnered with Volunteering Tasmania to focus on safe and respectful spaces in Community Sport.
Why this campaign matters
Sexual violence remains a significant issue across Australia, including within sporting environments. Prevention is not only about policies, it’s about the everyday behaviours we model and normalise.
Play it Safe focuses on simple, practical actions that help create safer cultures:
- Respect on and off the field
- Safe and inclusive environments
- Awareness of how our actions impact others
Our shared goal is to help clubs, volunteers, and community members build cultures where everyone feels safe, valued and respected. Throughout April, partners will share prevention messaging across social media and community spaces encouraging small actions that make a big difference.
This month also includes two key learning opportunities for the sector: Volunteering Tasmania will run a workshop on best‑practice volunteer management, and SASS’s training on responding safely and appropriately to disclosures of harm. Together, these activities support stronger, safer sporting communities now and into the future.
What’s happening in April ?
Sexual Assault Awareness Month 2026 includes a month-long social media campaign alongside workshops, community events and partner-led initiatives.
Get involved
Community organisations, clubs and supporters can join the campaign by:
- Sharing Sexual Assault Awareness Month social media tiles
- Wearing teal and attend a Sexual Assault Awareness Month during April activities
- Making a donation to support sexual assault prevention, education and support services
- Starting conversations about respect, inclusion and safety in sport
Make a donation
Throughout April, donations will support items that make a real difference, such as soft toys for children, clothing and food for clients, and small improvements to our therapeutic spaces. Your generosity helps create environments that feel safe, warm and welcoming for those accessing support.
Together, we can create a Tasmania free from sexual violence.
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Creating safe sporting cultures requires both prevention and prepared responses. Explore these practical resources, including the Safe to Speak - Bound to Act: Acting on Disclosures of Gender-Based Violence in Sport Toolkit, developed by researchers from La Trobe University, the University of Sydney and Victoria University, and the Tasmanian Government’s Tell Someone campaign posters. Together, these materials provide clear guidance on responding to disclosures, encouraging help-seeking, and offering pathways for people to access support or report concerns.
Download:
Safe to Speak - Bound to Act resourcesTell Someone resourcesTogether, we can build sporting environments where respect is visible, inclusion is active, and safety is everyone’s responsibility.
