Editor’s Note: This story contains sensitive subject matter that readers may find upsetting.

“I believe you.”

“You are not alone; there are countless others standing with you.”

“You are resilient.”

These are just a handful of the many messages of hope, strength and belief for victims of sexual assault that people wrote on the basketball court blacktop with an assortment of chalk colors at Friendship Park on April 1.

They were there for the Sexual Assault Awareness Month Chalk n’ Walk event, led by the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Family Advocacy Center (FAC), to shine a light on an issue that often remains in the dark.

According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, about 63% of sexual assaults are not reported to police – the most underreported crime in the U.S.  

Stand in a room full of people and you’ll most likely be next to someone who has experienced some form of sexual assault.

The reality is that one in five women in the U.S. have been raped or experienced attempted rape during their lifetime; and Native women are 2.5 times more likely to be raped than non-Native women, according to Amnesty International. One in three Native women will be raped in their lifetime. At least 86% of perpetrators of these crimes are non-Native men.

FAC director Nagisa Kondo said that the event encouraged open dialogue and offered support to survivors, sending a strong message that the Community will not tolerate sexual violence in any form.

“The Sexual Awareness Walk is more than just a tradition – it’s a powerful symbol of the Community’s dedication to ending sexual violence and fostering a culture of respect and safety,” said Kondo. “I think this event served as both a reminder of the ongoing need for education and advocacy, and as a testament to the strength of this Community.”

While School Resource Officer Daniel Brown was stationed at the grill providing food for participants, you could hear chalk grazing the blacktop as supporters of sexual assault survivors knelt to add their messages.

Kondo said that the “chalk” part of the event was for survivors who have been silenced in the past to feel like they are not alone.

“I saw a lot of messages showcasing emotional support and compassion,” said Kondo. “These messages validate survivors’ experiences, helping them feel understood, seen, and heard, which can be a powerful tool in healing.”

She continued, “Also, it can serve as a visual sense of community and connection that can help break the sense of isolation that often accompanies trauma. They foster a sense of shared experience and support from the broader community.”

President Martin Harvier and Council member Su:k Fulwilder both spoke at the event. Harvier offered support for victims and Fulwilder talked about her own experiences and focused on how sexual assault isn’t talked about enough among families in the Community.

When it was time for the walk, Jr. Miss Salt River 1^st Attendant Tiare Begay-Smith and Jr. Miss Salt River 2^nd Attendant Aiyanna Toya led the way with Kondo, holding a supportive sign as they kept the pace nearing sundown for a mile around the government complex, from Friendship Park to Osborn Road to Helping Hands and back to Two Waters.