Month-long campaign focuses on sexual assault awareness

(Tahlequah, Oklahoma) -- Northeastern State University President Steve Turner will sign a proclamation April 11 declaring April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

At Northeastern State University, we must all work together to educate our community about sexual violence prevention, supporting survivors, and speaking out against harmful attitudes and actions, the proclamation states.

When we all play a role, we can prevent sexual assault. The first step is increasing education, awareness and community involvement. Its time for all of us to take action to create a safer environment for all.

NSU Violence Prevention Program Coordinator Jennifer Cole-Robinson said Sexual Assault Awareness Month is a way to show support to all victims and survivors of sexual assault.

With statistics showing one in five women and one in 16 men report being sexually assaulted while in college, it is important for the university to show support and awareness and provide education to students and the Tahlequah community of the resources available, Cole-Robinson said.

Throughout the month, members of the community are invited to participate in a variety of events intended to educate and facilitate difficult conversations about sexual violence.

The Clothes Line Project, hosted by Its On Us and the Violence Prevention Project, will display student-designed T-shirts with empowering statements April 12-13 in the NSU Gazebo.

A Survivors and Resources Panel, hosted by the Violence Prevention Project, will be at 6 p.m. April 12 in Webb Auditorium. The panel will include student survivors and professionals who work with student survivors. Attendees will also hear about resources available through NSU and community partners.

The Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event, hosted by Help in Crisis, is set for 10 a.m. April 15 at Norris Park. This event is an opportunity for men, women and children to start difficult conversations about rape, sexual assault and gender violence by walking a mile in high heels.

The week of April 24, NSU students will have access to the national Its On Us social media accounts as part of NSUs Its On Us Week. The online content will highlight NSUs efforts to address sexual violence.

Take Back the Night Rally and Pledge Drive, hosted by Its On Us, the Violence Prevention Project and Womens Studies and Diversity and Inclusion, is slated for 8 p.m.-10 p.m. April 24 at 2nd Century Plaza. At the rally, attendees will hear from student organization leaders, the violence prevention coordinator and the title IX coordinator. Students will have the opportunity to pledge to support sexual assault survivors and intervene to protect students in vulnerable, potentially dangerous situations.

The months activities will conclude with a screening of the film Thelma and Louise at 7 p.m. April 25 in the Webb Auditorium. The screening will be hosted by Its On Us.

For more information on Sexual Assault Awareness Month, contact Cole-Robinson at cole17@nsuok.edu.