This April, the DU community observes Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). An annual month of advocacy sanctioned nationwide since the early 2000s, SAAM designates a period of time to educate the public throughout the country about sexual violence, assault and gender-based crime. Historic traditional events occur all throughout the month, providing a space for survivors of sexual violence and assault to speak about their experiences or for others to show their support in fighting sexual and gender-based violence.
DU annually participates in SAAM not only for the nationwide traditions, but for the pervasiveness of these issues on college campuses especially. According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, “20% – 25% of college women and 15% of college men are victims of forced sex during their time in college,” “more than 90% of sexual assault victims on college campuses do not report the assault” and “nearly two thirds of college students experience sexual harassment.”
College campuses are notoriously unsafe in terms of sexual violence specifically. Additionally, many cases of rape are frequently never reported and therefore not calculated into statistics or known to people outside the campus realm if the assault does not become known.
Several events are occurring here on campus to educate DU’s community about sexual violence and fight its prevalence. Month-long events include the Clothesline Project, in which a display of t-shirts hung in the atrium of the Anderson Academic Commons (AAC) features messages of support as well as testimonies of those affected by sexual violence. Also, on the first floor of the Colorado Women’s College, “Corazón Lastimado: Healing the Wounded Heart” will be on display all month. Comprised of decorated wooden hearts, this art exhibit visually represents the feelings and thoughts of survivors.
Special one-time events for the rest of the month include the historical “Take Back the Night” ceremony. Originally, women began this tradition in the late 1970s looking to share their experiences of sexual harassment in the streets at night. These gatherings, held in communities looking to change the behavior in their local areas, expanded to a nationwide practice in which survivors of assault and violence are welcome to stand up and share their experiences in a safe space. Members of the DU community can either share their own story or submit one to be anonymously read by volunteers. This event will be held in Lindsey Auditorium in Sturm Hall at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Apr. 17.
Additionally, on Apr. 24, wear jeans or your favorite Canadian tuxedo to take part in Denim Day. Started in 1998, wearing denim on this day relates back to an Italian Supreme Court Case of the same year. After a driving instructor sexually assaulted his student and she reported the incident, he was not convicted of rape because the victim was said to be wearing too-tight jeans. People all around the world still wear denim on this day to combat this case ruling and support survivors. Stop by the Denim Day Consent Fair in the AAC special events room from 11-1 p.m. to pick up buttons, socialize and learn about SAAM. The Hub will also be hosting a breakfast and buttons event from 8-10 a.m. on this day.
Make sure to also look for the Stickies for Survivors display in your residence hall throughout the month. Everyone is welcome to write messages of hope or support for survivors and those affected by the emotions and experiences that this month brings up.
If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual assault or violence and you wish to talk to someone about your experiences, the Center for Advocacy Prevention and Empowerment (CAPE) is available for private counseling and all other resources. You can also request outreach or a special workshop from Gender Violence Prevention and Education from the Health and Counseling Center. Join the outreach of SAAM this April to show your support and work towards a safer DU community.
