Start By Believing Day

April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM)Use this kit to raise awareness through the Start By Believing Day, the first Wednesday in April (or anytime!)If you are part of a faith community, consider selecting one of your regular services.

Start by Believing Day provides an opportunity for communities across the country, and around the world, to unify with a single voice for those who have been the victims of sexual violence: We hear you, and we are here to help.

On this day, we gather to end the silence and change the way we respond to sexual assault. We Start by Believing. Please join us in this global message of support for survivors.

We can all help to create this international event, each and every year. We can all Start by Believing.

Download and print the Start By Believing placard, add your name, take a picture and share it, tagging @doorways_va on Instagram or @doorwaysva on Twitter and Facebook. Add one of these statements to tell your friends why you Start By Believing, and call on them to join you in creating change:

  • When someone tells me they’ve experienced sexual violence, I #StartByBelieving. Join me and @doorways_va in supporting survivors!
  • The likelihood that a person suffers suicidal or depressive thoughts increases after sexual violence. Sexual violence also affects victims’ relationships with their family, friends, and co-workers. Today and every day, I #StartByBelieving to help reduce the stigma survivors face to ensure they can access the help they need to heal. Join me and @doorways_va and #BelieveSurvivors!
  • When someone tells me they’ve experienced sexual violence, I #StartByBelieving. If you need help, contact @doorways_va at 703-237-0881, or the national hotline (@rainn) at 800-656-HOPE (4673) to be connected with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area. You are not alone.

How to use a donation sticker to support Doorways on Instagram

If you post your photo to your Instagram Story, add a Donate Button and encourage your friends to give to Doorways and support survivors.

  1. From your story, tap  to add stickers.
  2. From there, you can add a donation sticker to allow people to donate to Doorways.
    • You can pin stickers to a fixed spot in your video. After taking a video, add a sticker, then tap it and hold. Use the slider bar at the bottom of the screen to scroll through the video to find where you want to pin the sticker. Move the sticker and tap Pin.
    • Rotate and resize a sticker by using two fingers to pinch and zoom.
  3. After you select the donation sticker, select Doorways (@doorways_va) and customize the name of your fundraiser.
  4. When people see your donation sticker in your story, they can tap Donate to donate to Doorways.
  5. Swipe up on your story to see the total amount raised and donations by username.