April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a time dedicated to education, prevention, and working to support survivors. Work that organizations like Bay Area Turning Point (BATP) continue year-round across the Harris County area.

Building on its mission to provide advocacy and resources for those affected by domestic and sexual violence, BATP is also working to challenge harmful misconceptions and promote survivor-centered care within the community.

“There’s a lot of misunderstanding when it comes to sexual assault,” said Melissa Prentice, the Outreach, Education, and Prevention Director at BATP.

“One of the most common is the idea that if someone doesn’t explicitly say ‘no,’ that means ‘yes.’ But sexual assault is about consent, and consent must be clearly and freely given.”

In addition to being necessary, Prentice highlighted how consent must also be informed, specific, and that it can be revoked. Someone can withdraw consent at any time, and any continuation beyond that point is considered a violation. She also noted that popular media often distorts these realities, portraying spontaneous romantic gestures without acknowledging the importance of communication and boundaries.

Another persistent myth is the expectation that survivors are meant to respond or react in a certain way during an assault.


“There’s this idea that if someone isn’t fighting back or trying to escape, then it wasn’t really assault,” said Prentice. “But trauma responses vary.”

While many are familiar with “fight or flight,” Prentice highlighted a lesser-known response: “fawn,” in which a person may appear to go along with the situation as a means of survival. This response, she said, is often misunderstood and can lead to survivors questioning their own experiences.

“There is no perfect ‘victim’ mold,” said Prentice. “And when people don’t fit that mold, it can impact whether they’re believed, or even whether they come forward at all.”

Misconceptions also extend to who can be a victim.


“There’s a belief that men can’t be sexually assaulted, or that they should always be able to stop it,” said Prentice. “That’s simply not true. Anyone, regardless of gender, can experience sexual violence.”

False reporting is another widely misunderstood issue. According to FBI data cited by Prentice, only an estimated 2-8% of reports are false. In fact, survivors are more likely to minimize or deny their experiences than fabricate them.

Beyond addressing misconceptions, BATP also places a strong emphasis on trauma-informed care, which is meant to prioritize the safety, trust, and autonomy of survivors.

“With trauma-informed care, the process has to be survivor-driven,” said Prentice. “It’s not about telling someone what they need to do. It’s about listening, offering options, and empowering them to make their own decisions.”

This approach is applied to all support elements, from ensuring conversations happen in private, safe environments to being transparent about confidentiality and available resources. BATP’s advocates are trained to collaborate with survivors rather than direct them, recognizing that each individual’s experience and needs are unique.

“Choice is a huge part of it,” said Prentice. “Even when it comes to safety planning, we can help brainstorm, but ultimately, they know what will keep them safest.”

BATP has also been working to expand its educational efforts, both within the community and among its staff. Recent initiatives include a “Know Your Rights” series on their social media aimed to inform the public about legal protections and options available to survivors.

One of those options is a newer development known as the “limited consent” alternative for sexual assault forensic exams. This allows evidence to be collected and tested without immediately involving law enforcement, giving survivors more flexibility in deciding whether to pursue legal action.

“It gives people more information and more control over what happens next,” said Prentice. “And that can make a big difference in their healing process.”

As part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, BATP encourages community members to get involved, whether by attending events, volunteering, donating, or simply learning how to be a supportive presence for someone in need.

“We want people to be safe individuals for survivors,” said Prentice. “That means listening without judgment, avoiding victim-blaming, and knowing where to direct someone for help.”

The organization also continues to host events that both raise awareness and honor those impacted by violence. A recent one was their “A Night of Courage,” which took place Thursday, April 16th, and celebrated survivors and recognized individuals who have dedicated years to advocacy work.

Ultimately, Prentice stressed that meaningful change requires collective effort.

“We can’t put the responsibility on survivors,” she said. “We have to shift that accountability to perpetrators and work as a community to prevent violence before it happens.”

For more information about Bay Area Turning Point, its services, and how to get involved, community members are encouraged to visit the organization’s website to follow its ongoing initiatives.