The History of Sexual Assault Awareness Month

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Like Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking Awareness, it's a necessary — if weary — tradition. Sexual assault awareness isn't something to celebrate. Yet the history of this form of violence — against women — reflects how slowly the hands of justice can turn.

Ancient roots of injustice: The Code of Hammurabi (1780 BC) treated rape of a virgin as damage to her father's property, while married women could be executed for adultery if raped by someone other than their husband.

Colonial America inherited English law defining rape as "unlawful carnal knowledge of a woman by a man not her husband" — protections that, through the 19th century, largely excluded enslaved Black women.

Early 20th century courts favored the "Unwritten Law,"; routinely siding with affluent white men who took vigilante justice for sexual violence against their female relatives.

The 1970s marked a turning point: Rape Shield Laws protected victims' sexual history in court, and Nebraska became the first state to criminalize marital rape (1976) — though all 50 states didn't follow until 1993.

The 1990s–2000s brought landmark progress, including the Violence Against Women Act (1994), and laws that finally recognized all victims regardless of gender, marital status, or race.

Bethesda House provides trauma-informed care for women and children affected by domestic violence, sex trafficking, and sexual assault. This month, may we move beyond awareness — challenging how our community thinks about these crimes, and working together toward a world where sexual violence is not just recognized, but eliminated.