Our offices will be closed for the holiday starting on Tuesday, December 24th and will re-open on Thursday, January 2nd at 9 a.m. If you are in crisis, please call our 24-Hour Rape Crisis Hotline at 904-721-7273.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAM). Each year during SAAM, The Center works to raise awareness about sexual assault. It can happen to anyone. 

This year’s national theme “Together We Act, United We Change” highlights the importance of working together to address and prevent sexual abuse, assault, and harassment. The Women’s Center of Jacksonville works to enhance public understanding of sexual violence, amplifying the voices of survivors, and empowering our community to work together to promote the safety and well-being of others. It’s all about raising awareness of sexual assault, debunking harmful myths, and supporting survivors. 

As the only certified rape crises center for Duval, Nassau, and Baker counties, we need your help to keep our services free of charge for all survivors. Your donations towards any of our SAAM events in April will go directly to our rape recovery efforts! 

 

CHECK OUT OUR 2025 WCJ SAAM EVENT LIST AND JOIN US! ALL PROCEEDS FROM OUR EVENTS HELP SURVIVORS HEAL. 

Proclamations
During SAAM 2025, the Women’s Center of Jacksonville proudly stood with leaders in Duval, Nassau, and Baker counties to affirm our shared commitment to ending sexual violence. Together, we raised public awareness, educated communities on prevention strategies, and uplifted the individuals and organizations on the frontlines supporting survivors and their families. Each proclamation served as a powerful declaration of unity—joining advocates across the country in taking action to create meaningful change.

Check out the Proclamation photos HERE!

10th Annual Kickball Tournament- “The Kickening”

Registration is now closed for our 10th Annual Kickball Tournament in support of Sexual Assault Awareness Month—and what an incredible day it was! Community teams came together at Rondette Park to compete, connect, and raise awareness, with friends and supporters cheering from the sidelines and donating toward a great cause. Thanks to your generosity, we raised over $6,000 to support survivors—and The Stonewallers took home the trophy! Thank you to everyone who played, cheered, and contributed. Your support helps us move closer to a world free from sexual violence

Check out the Kickball photos HERE!

1st Annual Dodgeball Tournament – SAAM 2025

HUGE congratulations to the champions of our 1st Annual SAAM Dodgeball Tournament! The Fernandina Beach Fire Department took home the trophy after an exciting morning of teamwork, laughter, and fierce competition. The Stonewallers came in a close second—amazing effort all around! We’re also incredibly proud to share that The Women’s Center of Jacksonville was named Fan Favorite, thanks to your generous donation votes. Thank you to everyone who played, donated, and showed up to cheer us on. Together, we’re standing with survivors and building a stronger, more compassionate community.

For More Information and to donate, visit: 2025 WCJ Dodgeball Tournament

Walk In My Shoes, Lauren’s Kids

On Wednesday, April 23rd, Senator Lauren Book continued her statewide “Lauren’s Walk” journey through Northeast Florida to raise awareness for the prevention of child sexual abuse. Staff from the Women’s Center of Jacksonville walked alongside her, beginning at the Duval County Courthouse and stopping at Publix San Marco, with the option to continue walking to the Women’s Center at 5644 Colcord Avenue. An Uber code was provided to assist participants with transportation back to the starting point. Bracelet-making activities were offered during registration as a creative show of solidarity. We thank all who joined us in walking to support survivors and raise awareness for this critical cause.

Check out the Lauren’s Walk photos HERE!

Surviving to Thriving – April 25, 2025

On the evening of April 25th, the Women’s Center of Jacksonville hosted Surviving to Thriving, a powerful event held in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. This free event provided survivors with a creative platform to share their healing journeys through art, spoken word, and music. Held at Babs’Lab, the evening featured moving performances, beautiful artwork, and opportunities for connection. Attendees enjoyed food from a local food truck, a cash bar, and time to socialize and build community. Thank you to all who joined us in celebrating the voices and resilience of survivors.

Check out the Surviving to Thriving 2025 photos HERE!

Book Spotlight – SAAM 2025

Throughout the month of April, the Women’s Center of Jacksonville hosted a Book Spotlight in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month to raise awareness about sexual violence through the voices of survivors and to demonstrate the power of healing through storytelling. This year’s featured book was Saving Five: A Memoir of Hope by Amanda Nguyen, one of TIME and Oprah Daily’s Most Anticipated Books of 2025. In this moving memoir, Nguyen shared her personal journey of healing and her path to justice through activism—an effort that led to the creation of the Sexual Assault Survivors’ Bill of Rights Act of 2016, which continues to protect and empower survivors across the country. The WCJ partnered with six independent bookstores in Jacksonville to highlight this important work and celebrate survivor stories throughout the month. Community members were encouraged to purchase the book locally or donate in support of our mission. All proceeds benefited sexual assault survivors served by WCJ.

Participating Bookstores:

  • San Marco Books and More – 1971 San Marco Blvd

  • Femme Fire Books – 2766 Park St #1

  • The Literary Lounge – 1080 Edgewood Ave S Suite #5

  • Happy Medium Books Café – 2724 Park St

  • The Bookmark – 220 First St, Neptune Beach

A big thank you to all who supported this initiative and stood with survivors this year.

Paint the Town Teal – April 2025

Throughout the month of April, Paint the Town Teal returned to Baker County in support of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Local businesses showed their solidarity with survivors by decorating their windows and displaying teal bows—the color representing awareness and prevention of sexual violence. Community participation helped raise visibility and sparked important conversations about healing, support, and prevention. Thank you to all who helped raise awareness and stand with survivors during SAAM 2025!

Check out our SAAM Photos from April 2025!

Photo Credit: Courtney Lynch, Impact Photography

CLICK HERE TO DONATE

Would you like more information? 
Call the Development team at 904.722.3000 ext. 203
or email development@thewcj.org

(c)2024 The Women's Center of Jacksonville | 5644 Colcord Ave., Jacksonville, FL 32211 | 904.722.3000 | Email Us
Images are Stock Photos; Not Actual Clients


WCJ DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, AGE, NATIONAL ORIGIN, MENTAL OR PHYSICAL DISABILITY/DISABILITY STATUS, SEX/GENDER, PREGNANCY, MILITARY STATUS/STATUS AS A VETERAN, GENETIC INFORMATION, CITIZENSHIP, IMMIGRATION STATUS, MARITAL STATUS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY, GENDER EXPRESSION, LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY, LANGUAGE SPOKEN, OR OTHER LEGALLY PROTECTED STATUS. WCJ FACILITIES ARE ACCESSIBLE, AND WE WILL PROVIDE ACCOMMODATIONS, INCLUDING FOREIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS, AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS AND ALTERNATIVE FORMATS OF PRINTED MATERIALS, UPON REQUEST FOR PERSONS WHO ARE DEAF, HARD OF HEARING, OR ARE LIVING WITH DISABILITIES, OR FOR PERSONS WHO ARE LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENT. TO ENSURE THAT YOU RECEIVE THE NECESSARY ACCOMMODATIONS, PLEASE MAKE YOUR REQUEST NO LATER THAN 7 DAYS PRIOR TO THE EVENT BY EMAIL SO THAT THEY CAN BE AVAILABLE TO YOU FROM THE START OF THE EVENT.