Sexual Assault Awareness Month

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Sexual assault awareness month is a somber yet vital time to call attention to the very real and devastating effects that sexual assault has on people. RAINN reports that an American is assaulted every 68 seconds, and sadly, sexual assault is a highly pervasive problem in the United States. Nationwide, 81% of women and 43% of men reported experiencing some form of sexual harassment and/or assault in their lifetime. These numbers highlight the urgent need for awareness, support, and education to combat this pervasive issue.

Films are a powerful way to shed light on difficult subjects, and two films that address the realities of sexual assault are Freshman Fall and She Said No. Both movies offer insight that depicts survivors' trauma and exposes the societal challenges and backlash they often face in seeking justice. 

Freshman Fall, starring Candace Cameron Bure and Mark-Paul Gosselaar, tells the story of Melissa, a college freshman who desperately wants to fit in. She attends a party at her brother’s fraternity house, hoping to make friends, but the night takes a horrific turn when she is date-raped by a fraternity member. When Melissa attempts to report the assault, she is met with disbelief and pressure to stay silent. Her journey highlights the all-too-common experiences of survivors who struggle against a system that often dismisses their voices. The film underscores the importance of believing survivors and fighting against the culture of silence that enables such crimes to continue. 

Similarly, She Said No portrays the heartbreaking and disturbing experience of a successful career woman who is sexually assaulted by a prominent lawyer. Though she bravely takes him to court, the trial ends in a hung jury, and the district attorney’s office refuses to retry the case. Instead of receiving justice, she is further victimized when her attacker sues her for malicious prosecution and slander. This devastating turn of events reflects the legal and emotional hurdles that survivors frequently encounter, where the burden of proof often falls disproportionately on them rather than their perpetrators. 

Both Freshman Fall and She Said No are critical reminders of why Sexual Assault Awareness Month is necessary. They depict not just the trauma of assault, but the resilience of survivors and the systemic barriers they must overcome. These films encourage essential conversations about consent, legal justice, and the societal changes needed to support survivors. 

Sexual Assault Awareness Month is an opportunity to listen to survivors, amplify their stories, and work towards a future where justice is not the exception but the norm. Whether through films, advocacy, or education, we must continue raising awareness and striving for a world free from sexual violence.

Looking for even more ways to watch and enjoy excellent movies & TV series?!? Head on over to YouTube and subscribe to Grapevine Documentaries, Multicom Entertainment, and TheArchive. These channels are dedicated to aficionados and lovers of cinema. You’ll find rare, retro, and restored films and TV, ranging from indies and series to Oscar-winning docs, unearthed MOWs, a killer horror library, and MORE!  

TheArchive channel is dedicated to aficionados and lovers of story, craft, and silver screen fun – streaming rare, retro, and restored films and classic TV. From indies and series to Oscar-winning documentaries, unearthed MOWs, and a killer horror library, TheArchive delivers forgotten, never-before-seen gems for free and many in 4K. Marilyn, Karloff, and Orson Welles stream alongside Reese, Keanu, and Samuel L. Jackson. Find true stories of Queen, Hendrix, and Sinatra, an LGBTQ library, MLK bios, and world history docs. TheArchive has the movies and shows you either saw, should’ve seen, or should be watching now!