NDDSVC shares “Cups of Support” and “Consent is Hot” sauce during SAAM

BISMARCK, ND —During April, the North Dakota Domestic & Sexual Violence Coalition (NDDSVC) is sharing cups of coffee that carry an important message. As a part of their Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) campaign, NDDSVC created custom coffee sleeves that have information on consent and supportive services for survivors of sexual violence. The coalition distributed the coffee sleeves to its member organizations—19 domestic violence and sexual assault victim advocacy centers across the state—who are then partnering with coffee sellers to share the coffee sleeves in North Dakota communities.

One coffee sleeve reads “Here’s your cup of support” beside a friendly looking coffee cup character. A URL on the coffee sleeve leads to an online directory of NDDSVC’s member organizations. Each organization provides free and confidential support to victims of sexual assault, including helping victims access medical care, mental health support and legal support, if desired. 

Another coffee sleeve reads, “Consent is HOT! (Just like this coffee)” The URL on the coffee sleeve leads to the same advocacy center directory, where individuals can contact their local organization to learn more about consent and healthy relationships.

“Just like your morning latte might help you get through the day, we want survivors to know that advocates can help them get through the trauma that can come with experiencing sexual assault,” said Seth O’Neill, Executive Director of NDDSVC.

In addition to the coffee sleeves, NDDSVC also created custom bottles of hot sauce that read “Consent is Hot” and “If it’s not a yes, give it a rest!”

“Our hope is that the hot sauce creates conversations about consent and why it’s so important,”  said Amie Britz, Communications Coordinator at NDDSVC. “Without consent, sexual activity becomes sexual violence. I think a lot of people understand that consent is essential, but we want to go beyond that and make consent something that is celebrated and championed by the people of North Dakota.”

Like the coffee sleeves, the hot sauce bottles have information to connect victims and survivors of sexual violence with supportive services. A QR code on the label leads to the online directory of NDDSVC’s member organizations.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, abuse or harassment, free and confidential support is available 24/7 in North Dakota. Visit nddsvc.org/find-help to find help near you.

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The North Dakota Domestic & Sexual Violence Coalition (NDDSVC) supports and serves as a unified voice for 19 domestic violence/sexual assault (DV/SA) victim advocacy centers across North Dakota. From training and educational materials to public awareness and legislative policy change, NDDSVC works to provide North Dakota communities with the best tools and information to better support victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence.