Exhale to Inhale Statement on Sexual Assault Awareness Month
New York City, N.Y. —
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), a national initiative to raise public awareness about sexual violence and educating communities on how to prevent it. This year, Exhale to Inhale is highlighting how trauma informed yoga can help survivors of sexual assault heal by offering simple self-care practices that support the mind and body and providing community events to bring awareness to our mission.
Since 2013, Exhale to Inhale has met an unmet need in NYC, and now 6 states by providing accessible methods of care and wellness for individuals impacted by sexual violence. Every 68 seconds an American experiences sexual assault, and 1 in 6 women have been a victim of rape. More options are needed when it comes to supporting mental well-being as the physical impact of trauma is often not addressed.
“While the prevelance of sexual violence can feel daunting, we are hopeful about how Exhale to Inhale can help survivors understand how trauma impacts their body and ways that simple tools can help in their long-term healing journey,” said Maggie LaRocca, Executive Director of Exhale to Inhale. “ The efforts of our community during this important month bring hope to survivors everywhere, and we are committed to ensuring access for anyone that can benefit from our support.”
Partnering with 48 different shelters and nonprofits and providing public classes online to survivors everywhere, Exhale to Inhale is committed to empowering survivors through its unique trauma informed class instruction, while educating communities on ways to support survivors through our trauma informed yoga training program. Since 2018, 900 yoga teachers, social service providers and community leaders have been trained with the Exhale to Inhale Trauma Informed Yoga Training program.
This month, Exhale to Inhale partnered with the below organizations:
RAINN: RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) is the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization. To recognize Sexual Assault Awareness Month, on April 26th, Exhale to Inhale offered RAINN's partners a wellness workshop about trauma informed yoga and how the modality can support post traumatic growth.
Girls for Gender Equity: Girls for Gender Equity (GGE) uplifts Black girls and gender-expansive young people of color to reshape culture and policy through advocacy and youth-led programming. On April 12th, Exhale to Inhale and GGE partnered for GGE's Just Us event to provide youth with trauma-informed yoga and self-care education.
Day One: Day One partners with youth to end dating abuse and domestic violence through community education, supportive services, legal advocacy and leadership development. On April 14th, Exhale to Inhale and Day One partnered during SAAM by spotlighting selfcare and bringing trauma-informed yoga classes to youth at their Queens, NY site.
SUNY PolyTech: SUNY PolyTech is a global leader in higher education. SUNY recognizes the prevalence of sexual assault on campus and actively support students throughout the year on self-care, prevention, and policy. On April 19th, SUNY Exhale to Inhale offered a special yoga class for students and staff at SUNY to honor the importance of self-care during this month.
Mayor’s Office Crime Victims Services: Mayor's Office Crime Victims Services offers support to victims of crime and their families. They partner with hospital staff and other individuals. On April 25th, Exhale to Inhale offered training for staff and healthcare workers. The training offered resources and support for self-care and burnout prevention.
Community Ambassadors, Ishta Yoga, YO BK, Tangerine Yoga, and Yoga Spark joined our efforts by hosting a training or donation based class for Exhale to Inhale.
To learn more about work, visit www.exhaletoinhale.org. Partnership opportunities and trauma informed yoga classes and training are available to all survivors of sexual and domestic violence, and community members and organizations striving to support them.
For more information, contact marketing@exhaletoinhale.org.