25 YEARS STRONGER: LOOKING BACK, MOVING FORWARD.

25 Years of Sexual Assault Awareness Month 

 

Though Sexual Assault Awareness Month has been officially recognized for the past 25 years, sexual violence has always existed. In spite of this difficult truth, Esperanza Dance Project is inspired to be part of a community that works hard to spread awareness and prevent sexual assault through events, advocacy, and resources like the ones mentioned above. 
 

Our Founder and Executive Artistic Director, Beth Braun, shares her vision for the future: "It’s been 15 years since I created Esperanza Dance Project, and some days I wonder if we are making a difference. Right after the “Me Too” movement started, we were participating in Tucson Take Back the Night, and a news reporter asked me if I thought things would change now that so many women were speaking out about their abuse. I knew that once the “hype” was over, social media posts would return to cute pictures of everyone’s dogs and cats. And again, I wonder if we are making a difference. 

[We recently] performed for approximately 50 students at Rincon/University High Schools and I left knowing that we absolutely are making a difference. An anonymous student asked, “What if the person who hurt me actually loves me?” Briefly, it felt like all the oxygen had been sucked out of the room, and then we had a conversation that reinforced the impact of our work. Can we end sexual violence? My response is, “No.” Do we make a difference? YES! The more we talk about sexual violence and diminish the stigma, the more we know that we are not alone. It’s never our fault, and there is so much hope for healing."
 

We are just under halfway to our goal of raising $5,000 to support our vital work in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. If you have already donated in support of the campaign, thank you. Your generosity will help us continue to provide vital education and support to young survivors. 

 

If you would like to help us reach our goal, please donate at the link below.