Today@Sam Article
SHSU Groups Unite To Inspire Change
March 26, 2015
SHSU Media Contact: Tammy Parrett
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| Various SHSU groups are coming together for Sexual Assault Awareness month to encourage thoughtful discussion and consideration of those effects on students of both genders. One event literally asks men to "walk a mile in her shoes" by donning high heels for a one-mile march. —Photo by Brian Blalock |
The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
With the increase of sexual assaults on college campuses in recent years, the need for prevention and awareness programs are becoming more and more important.
According to the White House Council on Women and Girls, one in five women will be sexually assaulted in their lifetimes, and less than 5 percent of these assaults will be reported to authorities. Among college women, nine of 10 victims of rape and sexual assault knew the person who assaulted them, and 42 percent of college women who are raped tell no one about the assault.
Colleges and universities are required to comply with federal policies such as Title IX and the Clery Act, regarding how they handle sexual harassment and assault cases on campuses. The White House also established the “It’s On Us” campaign last year to prevent sexual violence.
In recent years, several departments at Sam Houston State University have teamed up to host a number of events throughout April in support of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
The SAAM committee consists of the Dean of Student’s Office, Student Health Center, Counseling Center, University Police Department, the SAAFE House, Crime Victim Services Alliance, Graduate Student Organization, Crime Victims’ Institute, Residence Life, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Initiative, Information Technology, and General Counsel.
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“Sexual assault is a problem that impacts people of all ages in our community, within our state and beyond,” said Nicole Wilkes, Crime Victims’ Institute research associate. “We need to come to together to support survivors and do our parts individually and as a community to prevent sexual violence.”
GSO is teaming up with Lambda Alpha Epsilon and the National Association of Black in Criminal Justice to kick off SAAM with Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, an international men’s march to create awareness about sexual assault and gender violence on April 1 at 3 p.m. outside of Johnson Coliseum.
Male participants will be required to complete the mile-long march while wearing a pair of women’s high-heeled shoes.
GSO member Eric Cooke hopes that bringing Walk a Mile in Her Shoes to SHSU will create an open dialogue about sexual assault on college campuses.
“We want men to work together to tell other guys that this is wrong,” Cooke said. “This isn’t OK; this is something that needs to be talked about, not just pushed under the table.
“Most SAAM events don’t target the typical perpetrators of sexual assault. This event is very men-focused, and it’s an event where they can actually have fun while making a difference.”
Tim Mousseau, a survivor of sexual violence, will present “Retaking Our Story: Reframing the Sexual Assault Conversation” on April 13 at 6 p.m. in the Lowman Student Center Theatre.
He will talk about his journey and also discuss how individuals and communities can work together to prevent sexual violence from occurring, according to Wilkes.
While it is more common for women to fall victim of sexual assault, it is important to understand that they are not the only group to experience sexual assault.
A study on college sexual assault found that 6.1 percent of males experience sexual assault while in college, and another study found that sexual assault is believed to carry the highest victim cost rate of any crime.
The Crime Victim Services Alliance will sponsor a screening of the film “It Happened Here,” on April 16 at 6 p.m. in the Lowman Student Center Theater.
The documentary provides an inside look at the prevalence of sexual assault on college campuses and the institutional failure to protect students through the intimate portraits of five students who survived sexual assault.
The documentary will be followed by a panel discussion.
The fourth annual “Ignite the Night” will take place April 22 at 6 p.m. in the Old Main Pit.
The event is designed to promote awareness about and honor survivors of sexual assault on campus and in the broader Huntsville community, according to Wilkes.
Activities scheduled for “Ignite the Night” include speakers, poetry readings, and a survivor’s story, followed by a march down University Avenue to the Walker County courthouse. Once at the courthouse, another short rally will be held including refreshments and speakers, after which city and county officials will read a proclamation.
Students, faculty and staff will be encouraged to take the pledge to help keep women and men safe from sexual assault throughout the month of April in the LSC Mall Area, as well as at each SAAM event.
By signing the pledge, students promise to not be a bystander to the problem, but to be part of the solution.
“We will be accepting clothing donations across campus as well,” said Wilkes. “We will be collecting clothing for victims to wear home following a medical forensic exam if their clothing is needed for investigative purposes.”
The clothing donations will go to SAAFE House, which is currently in need of T-shirts, sweatshirts, and sweatpants, in regular and plus sizes.
In addition to the Sexual Assault Awareness Month events, SHSU students recently participated in a series of “It’s On Us” videos that will be released during the month of April. These videos encourage students and members of the community to take a stand against sexual violence and look out for their fellow Bearkats.
For more information on any of the Sexual Assault Awareness Month events, or for information on donating to the SAAFE House, contact Wilkes at 936.294.4295.
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