Sexual Assault Awareness Month: What You Can Do At SLU by Saint Louis University blogger Abigail

Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Kind of a mouthful, right? It’s a mouthful, but it’s an important one for students to understand and recognize.

Here at SLU, we live in a fairly sheltered environment. A bubble, if you will. The words, “That happens, but it doesn’t happen here” are uttered constantly around campus about issues like racism, sexism and sexual assault.

The problem is, it does happen here. Sexual assault happens everywhere, so much so that it’s estimated 1 in 4 women will be sexually assaulted in her lifetime.

Sexual Assault Awareness Month is important because it starts conversations and shines light on the fact that there are issues everywhere. No one is immune to sexual assault, and the first step to preventing it is acknowledging that sexual assault exists.

Luckily, there are groups at SLU, in St. Louis, and around the country that have organized events during the month of April to talk about sexual assault. I’ve complied a list below that I’m sure is not completely comprehensive, but is a good place to start.

·      Project Not Asking For It – This project hits on the fact that no matter how you’re dancing or what you’re wearing, you’re not asking for sexual interactions. Here's the link to the Facebook event. It’s located SGA Student Lounge today (April 8) from 11-1, tomorrow (April 9) from 4-6, and Friday April 10 from 11-1, sponsored by SLU Wellness and SLU TV.

·      A Walk in Her Shoes – An interactive presentation by Safe Connections about sexual assault. Here's a link to the Facebook event. It’s located in BSC 253 B&C at 7:00 pm on Monday April 13^th, sponsored by Una, the Feminist Voice of SLU.

·      Denim Day – Take a stand by wearing jeans in solidarity on April 29^th against a 1999 court case that declared jeans were the reason a woman was raped. Here's the link to the Facebook event, brought to SLU by Una.

·      Take Back the Night – A night of performances, dialogue, food, community and a vigil to join forces against sexual violence. Here's the link to the Facebook event. It’s hosted by Una and takes place from 7-10 pm on Thursday, April 30^th.

·      Stroll to Heal the Soul – A run/walk to bring awareness to sexual violence. Here's the link to register. Takes place just outside of St. Louis on April 25^th at 7:00 am.

Keep an eye out for other events coming up this month, remembering that it’s up to us to start the discussion about sexual assault.