What do pajama parties, a family walk and gala dinner have to do with April’s Sexual Assault Awareness Month? A whole lot, according to the Women’s Resource Centre (WRC).

The charity will be marking the awareness month by hosting a series of enlightening events and is hoping to engage people from a wide cross-section of the community.

Patrice Hayward, the executive director of WRC, said: “Sexual Assault Awareness Month has been observed for many years by places around the world to raise awareness on the issue of sexual assault.

“We’ve decided to host a series of events on the Island and I’m actually excited about all of them because this is the first time we’re doing this.”

Charity members sat down earlier this year to think of ideas for events that would engage and excite the community.

They set out trying to find committees to organise all the events, not sure if all the ideas would be able to come to fruition, but surprisingly were able to get people to help with each one.

Ms Hayward said one of the main purposes of the events was to educate people about what constitutes sexual assault and misconduct, as well as what they can do to prevent it.

“We want to bring profound awareness to the many faces of sexual assault among different genders, ages and races and to show how the community can assist in recognising where it is present and the best course of action when detected,” she explained.

“Sexual assault is a violent crime motivated by a desire for power and control. It is predominately a crime committed against (but not limited to) women and children.

“Rapists and sexual abusers come from all levels of educational, socioeconomic, professional and ethnic backgrounds.

“These abusers are often very charming and are many times the last people you would suspect as an abuser. They are known to have a history of childhood sexual abuse or trauma that they did not receive treatment for.

“With that in mind, we are encouraging everyone to get involved in playing a role in promoting a healthy foundation for relationships, development, and sexual violence prevention.”

Some of the events will also serve as fundraisers for the WRC, so it can continue its counselling, education and support services to women.

One of the exciting events, scheduled for this Saturday, is the Denim, Diamonds, Dinner & Dessert evening, taking place at the Police Recreation Club in Devonshire.

Ms Hayward believes it will provide adult women with a rare chance to have open discussions with the teenage girls in their life about sexual assault.

“This will be an open discussion. We don’t want to judge the teenagers or make them feel uncomfortable, but we want to talk to them about what they think a healthy relationship is and how they should be conducting themselves in relationships,” Ms Hayward said.

“It’s also about learning from them about what they think sexual assault or misconduct means. We want to give them advice and someone to talk to. We also want it to be a safe space where they can come and talk to us.”

Later on this month, women from across the Island are invited to take part in International Diva Pajama Party on April 19.

Women are being asked to gather some of their closest friends and family to host a themed pajama party — be it a games, casino night or 1970s disco bash — in their homes. The charity has put together a quiz they hope party hosts can share with their guests as a conversation starter.

Ms Hayward said: “We are hoping these pajama parties will be happening all over the Island at the same time and overseas as well.

“I have a girlfriend in Tampa, Florida and a niece in Atlanta and I’m going to assist them in getting a group of friends together. The great thing about social media is we can see what they are up to in a different part of the world through Skype or Facetime.”

The month will wrap up with a Gala Dinner at Fairmont Hamilton Princess on April 26.

A motivational speaker from overseas, Chris Crumpler, will be sharing about what men think about sexual assault and what role they can play in prevention.

The event, which costs $150 per person, will also feature an all-female line-up of entertainment.

“Women talk about the issue all the time and have a lot to say about it, and it’s not that men don’t, but we don’t hear their views on the issue often,” Ms Hayward said.

“We want to hear Mr Crumpler speak from the male point of view. The event should be a lot of fun and money raised will help the WRC with its mission.”

The WRC’s slogan for the initiative is ‘Sexual Assault ... it IS your business. Do something!’

Useful website: www.wrcbermuda.com