The Foot Soldiers On The Frontline Of Sexual Assault Advocacy

In 2026, as BLACK ENTERPRISE reflects on the 25th anniversary of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the statistics remain sobering . According to the National Organization for Women (NOW), Black women are still 2.5 times more likely to experience sexual violence than their peers. Despite this disparity, they continue to experience significant barriers to safety, ranging from cultural stigma to institutional disbelief. However, phenomenal Black women stand in the gap, doing the work to ensure that all Black survivors of sexual assault and violence receive resources and support to thrive. Tarana Burke Long before it became a viral hashtag, Tarana Burke established the me too. movement in 2006, as a response to her work with Black girls who had experienced sexual violence but lacked resources and support systems . Burke developed the initiative through grassroots organizing and survivor-centered programming in the United States. Burke wanted to establish a language of solidarity and healing for survivors who came from marginalized communities. The movement achieved worldwide recognition in 2017, but its foundation remains focused on underserved populations who have experienced sexual trauma and on making sure survivors receive support. The Movement: She emphasizes that while the media often focuses on individual bad actors, the movement is truly about dismantling the building blocks of sexual violence: power and privilege. Vision: Burke advocates a cultural shift in which bodily au…