Data from the US Department of Education indicates that throughout the past nine years, there have been over 10,000 distinct documented cases of sexual assault on college campuses annually; however, that figure may be underestimated. Dr. Sarah Van Orman, chief campus health officer, stated that some victims of sexual assault never come forward. To educate people, especially students, Student Health, along with several other organizations, conducts programs and raises awareness in April on the occasion of Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAM). According to Van Orman, the objective is to raise student awareness of sexual assault and teach them how to assist victims and survivors of gender-based violence with the theme “Building Connected Communities.”
Sexual Assault Awareness Month
According to Van Orman, the goal of April is to raise awareness and help people realize the impact of gender-based violence in the community. This month also aims to educate people on what they can do for themselves or their loved ones who have faced gender- and power-based violence.
The Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network reports that 13% of all students in the United States suffer from rape or sexual assault due to “physical force, violence, or incapacitation”; women account for 25% of cases of rape or sexual assault among undergraduate students, while men make up about 7% of cases. According to Van Orman, some cases are never reported at all, or they are reported months or years after the assault occurs.
Van Orman shares that most of this is due to the stigma surrounding sexual assaults. He states that more than not wanting to go through the process of sharing about it or going through the investigation process, what affects the survivors the most is the struggle to understand what has happened to them. There are no time restrictions on when a victim can report under USC law, in contrast to California law, which permits survivors to make claims up to ten years after an alleged assault.
Through RSVP, students can get private, anonymous counseling support. The department also provides students with forensic examinations, sometimes referred to as “rape kits,” HIV and Hepatitis B testing, and plan B. Different universities across the United States have organized several innovative events and activities on the occasion of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
UNCSA And Its Innovative Events
UNCSA considers April, Sexual Assault Awareness Month, as a time to unite as a community and raise voices against sexual assaults. On its website, UNCSA urges people to unite and challenge harmful attitudes, support survivors, and create a culture of consent and respect. The website also mentions a series of events that are scheduled for SAAM. The events include Teal Tuesdays, Solidarity Stones, Denim Day, Raise Your IQ, and Join the Safe Team.
As part of the Teal Tuesdays program, UNCSA asks people to join them in wearing teal every Tuesday to show solidarity and support for sexual assault survivors, as teal stands for sexual assault awareness, symbolizing hope, healing, and resilience. Solidarity Stones, a painting event to show solidarity and support survivors, conducted over several days, will finally be displayed from April 21–25. Denim Day, organized in remembrance of the 1992 black woman rape and the “jean alibi” verdict, is scheduled for April 24. Raise Your IQ on April 24 from 6-7 p.m. is a time to boost your IQ on issues of sexual assault. The Safe Team is an opportunity to become an agent of change.
Other Events On The Occasion Of SAAM
In honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the Center for Peacemaking with Near West Side Partners and the Center for Student Wellness and Health Promotion will host events in April. The schedule of events comprises advocacy, educational, and resource-based events.
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Resource Tabling on Mondays, “When in Doubt” activity collab with Black Mindz on Thursday, April 4, Chalk the Block on April 9 Tuesday, “When in Doubt” activity collab with Black Mindz and Arts as Healing workshop on Wednesday, April 10, are some of the events organized by them.