Saturday, September 6, 2025 | Bradley Beach Boardwalk
We will meet at the Gazebo on the corner of Ocean Avenue and 5th Avenue
Registration starts at 8 am, Walk starts at 9 am
From Silence to Solidarity: Because sexual assault is too often kept in the dark, Hope in Motion brings it into the light.
On Saturday, September 6, Younity will join the New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault (NJCASA) for the annual Hope in Motion Walk on the Bradley Beach Boardwalk. Taking place in the morning, just after sunrise, the walk is an opportunity to greet the new day with purpose — to shed light on a reality too often hidden in darkness and to let every victim-survivor know: We see you, we believe you, and you are not alone.
Sexual violence is one of the most underreported crimes. Survivors often carry their stories quietly, not because the harm isn’t real, but because the person who hurt them is someone they know, trust, or even love. The statistics tell the story:
51% of female rape victims report being raped by an intimate partner, and 40.8% by an acquaintance.
52.4% of male sexual assault victims report being raped by an acquaintance, and 15.1% by a stranger.
The numbers prove that sexual violence is more likely to happen at the hands of someone you know than a stranger. That reality makes it especially difficult for survivors to come forward, be believed, and get the support they need.
“The reality is, consent doesn’t disappear just because you’re in a relationship,” says Janet Morales, Crisis Sexual Assault Response Specialist at Younity. “A rape is a rape — whether by a spouse, a date, or a coworker. Survivors deserve to be believed, no matter the circumstances.”
This is why Younity is proud to partner with NJCASA. As the statewide coalition against sexual violence, NJCASA represents 21 county-based programs like ours, providing training, advocacy, and culturally responsive resources that strengthen services for survivors. They also advocate at the state level for survivor-centered policies and funding that sustain our programs. “For us, NJCASA is a lifeline,” Janet explains. “They keep us connected to other agencies, make sure our services reflect the latest research, and advocate for laws and funding that put survivors first. It means we can focus on showing up for people while knowing someone has our back at the state level.”
The walk also raises the funds that keep services available when survivors need them most. “Every dollar raised has an impact,” Janet says. “It helps us show up at the worst moments of someone’s life and walk alongside them. It helps provide clothing when someone leaves the hospital without even their own, shelter when they can’t go home, counseling, legal support, and the advocates who respond to calls 24/7. And just as important, it funds prevention programs in schools and communities, so the next generation learns about consent and respect.”
For survivors who too often feel unseen, public visibility matters. When people show up, walk together, and take up space, it sends a powerful message that sexual violence will no longer stay hidden in the dark. “That’s why visibility is so important,” Janet adds. “By walking together, out in the open, we send a message: you are seen, you are believed, and you are not alone.”
As summer comes to a close and a new season begins, Hope in Motion is a reminder that change is possible. By walking together along the shore — where the waves keep moving forward and the sun rises on a new day — we honor the courage of survivors and carry the light of hope into the future.
Register today to walk with us or support our team:
Join or Support Team Younity
Together we are stronger than abuse.
