If You See Something...

April 1, 2026

We’re all familiar with this safety reminder at every airport, "If you see something, say something.” It seems simple enough to speak up if you see something strange or concerning. But apparently, it’s not that simple when it comes to speaking up about sexual abuse. Is it that we don’t want to look or that we don’t want to see?

The statistics are mind-boggling. According to RAINN, the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization (rainn.org), nearly every minute someone in the U.S. is sexually assaulted – every nine minutes, that someone is a child. Increasing awareness of the prevalence and signs of sexual abuse along with having the courage to intervene or speak up creates accountability and will most certainly change the statistics.

If we are waiting for victims of sexual violence, whether child or adult, to speak up and call attention to their abuse, we will be waiting a very long time. Recent high-profile cases of prolific sexual abuse, occurring in plain sight over decades, has brought this sad reality to light. How many adults over the course of those decades saw with their own eyes the clear signs of young girls being trafficked and violated sexually for the pleasure of entitled and powerful adults? How many girls and young women would have been spared a lifetime of suffering if even one person would have spoken up?

When vulnerable human beings are overpowered, coerced, violated, and threatened, they are not inclined to raise their voice to speak out. When one’s spirit is broken, the human reaction is to hide, to avoid further attention at all costs, and to live in fear of re-victimization. It is up to us. We, as individuals and as a community are the voice for those whose voice and dignity have been stolen.

The very good and hopeful news is that we can make a difference – you, me, all of us together can change the statistics and most importantly create communities that increase accountability and are safe from sexual violence.

• Learn the signs of grooming
• Learn the signs that a child may have been sexually abused
• Learn how to support a survivor
• Sponsor community events to educate and raise awareness about the prevalence and prevention of sexual abuse

April is National Sexual Assault Awareness Month and although this ought to be an everyday awareness, this is a great time to focus on the positive impact we can all have on preventing sexual abuse and supporting survivors. The first step and the most important step is to say something. Breaking the silence is a collective responsibility. By continuing to talk about the prevalence of sexual abuse, we help create a culture where survivors are believed, supported and empowered. This is how we all heal.