During their four years in college, one in four women will be victims of rape or attempted rape, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Almost 90% of these college women know their attacker. Yet, only one in ten rapes are reported.
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month at Sonoma State University. A variety of events are held to help students gain awareness about sexual assault, rape, interpersonal sexual relationships and communication.
Student Advocates For Education and the Women's Resource Center are sponsoring the following events:
THE CLOTHESLINE PROJECT, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., April 6, Main Quad - A visual display of t-shirts in a variety of colors honors and supports the survivors of sexual violence. Participants first find the shirt color corresponding to their experience with sexual violence and write or draw a message on the shirt. This aims to aid the survivor in healing. The shirts are displayed in the quad, providing inspiration, support, and hope for those victims of sexual violence who've yet to break the silence. Educational resources will be available at the display as will the opportunity for students to partake in the t-shirt making.
"THESE HANDS WON'T HURT," 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., April 6 and 7 p.m., April 26, Main Quad - A program for people pledging against violence. Students declare they won't usetheir hands to hurt another person. At the event, participants stamp their handprints on a banner as a visual statement against sexual violence as well as sign a pledge.
SEX SIGNALS, 7 p.m., April 12, Cooperage - An educational, improvisational comedy show discusses the issues of dating, sex, communication, and sexual assault to engage students in the subject of interpersonal sexual relationships. All faculty, staff and students are welcome to this free event sponsored by S.A.F.E., Associated Students Productions and Residential Life. For more information, visit www.catharsisproductions.com or phone (707) 664-2217.
DENIM DAY, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., April 21, Main Quad - Students wear jeans to support the international protest of an Italian High Court decision to overturn a rape conviction because the victim was wearing jeans and to provide education against the myths surrounding rape and sexual assault.
TAKE BACK THE NIGHT SPEAKOUT AND MARCH, 7 p.m., April 26, Cooperage - Students come together to break the silence about sexual violence and honor those who have survived. An outpouring of emotional stories from survivors, a symbolic march on campus to reclaim the night and lastly, to create a safe place for survivors and supporters of survivors.
Student Advocates For Education is the peer education program at Sonoma State University whose focus is on peer education in three areas - responsible alcohol use, safer sex, and sexual assault awareness. This group of student educators are trained for public speaking and group facilitation.
For years, S.A.F.E. students have visited Freshmen Seminar classes, clubs, fraternities and sororities, and ventured in the residential campus community to open up dialogue and raise awareness about issues that face college students.
