LIMA — The month of April is nationally recognized as Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). The University of Northwestern Ohio’s Counseling Center and Title IX Committee have partnered up to create a month full of educational and interactive ways to address sexual violence.
During the month there will be “Fact-Filled Fridays” where interesting facts regarding national statistics, local resources, and ways to get involved on campus will be e-mailed to faculty, staff, and students, Barnes & Noble will have a display featuring books pertaining to sexual assault throughout the month of April, and Racers Rock will be painted with a teal ribbon the first week of April.
The outline of specific events and activities are listed below:
April 5: Cupcakes & Consent, from 11 a.m. to noon in the 13000 building; and 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in the 100 building. Students, staff, and faculty are all encouraged to stop by the SAAM booth for free cupcakes and conversation about consent. Participants can create personalized message boards by writing their own unique statements about what consent means
April 11: Shatter the Silence on Stalking, from 11 a.m. to noon in the 13000 building; and 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in the 100 building. Students are encouraged to stop by the SAAM booth to educate themselves and their community about stalking. Learn the facts on stalking, become familiar with Ohio state laws, and take a quiz to test how much they really know about stalking.
April 13: Faculty/Staff Jeans Day. UNOH employees are encouraged to wear jeans and a teal ribbon in order to raise awareness about sexual violence, make a social statement, and create a dialogue about the misconceptions that surround sexual assault. Employees wearing jeans are asked to make a minimum donation of $5. All proceeds that are raised on Jeans Day will be given to Crime Victim Services, a local rape crisis center that assists survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence.
April 17-28: Pinwheel Project for Child Abuse. There will be a pinwheel display at Racers Rock. Faculty, staff and students will be encouraged to wear blue on Wednesday, April 19th in support for those affected by child abuse
April 24: “The Hunting Ground” Screening and Q&A from 4 to 6 p.m. at Racers Station. Students, staff and faculty are invited to attend a free screening of “The Hunting Ground” at Racers Station, followed by a Q&A. Free snacks will be provided. “The Hunting Ground” is an award-winning documentary film that explores sexual violence on U.S. college campuses and how college administrators deal with this issue on their campuses. The film also focuses on student survivors leading a movement for change.
