April 1, 2022
April marks National Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Submitted by Jessica Lynn Henault
April 2022 marks the 21st anniversary of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, formally declared in 2001 by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center. Every year higher education institutions around the nation take part in this month-long movement to spread advocacy and prevention education on the topics of sexual assault, harassment and abuse.
This year's theme is "Together We Can Build Safe Online Spaces." Throughout April, the Center for Advocacy, Response and Education, or CARE, will host virtual training sessions, events and additional social media content centered around the themes of online abuse and trauma, online community prevention, digital consent and boundaries, and bystander intervention.
Thomas Lane, vice president for student life and dean of students, said, “Sexual Assault Awareness Month provides several engaging opportunities to learn more about how we as a K-State community can work together to build a culture that promotes healthy relationships and consent, demonstrates care and support for survivors, and helps prevent sexual violence.”
CARE is hosting three virtual advanced S.A.F.E. Zone workshops:
- “Sexual Harassment in the Workplace” from 10-11 a.m. Friday, April 1.
- “Integrating a Trauma-Informed Framework” from 11 a.m.-noon Friday, April 15.
- “Wildcats Make a Pact” from 12-1:30 p.m. Friday, April 29.
Register for the workshops at k-state.edu/safezone.
CARE will also table outside of the K-State Student Union on Bosco Plaza throughout April handing out free goodies and engaging with the K-State community. Follow along on social media for specific dates and times.
Finally, CARE and K-State’s Office of Institutional Equity, or OIE, are partnering to host a community event on Wednesday, April 27, in honor of National Denim Day. More details will be released as the date approaches.
"Sexual assault impacts people of every demographic," said Stephanie Lott, director of OIE and Title IX coordinator. "It is vital that the K-State community work together to address the causes of sexual assault. If even one Wildcat feels unsafe or unwelcome on our campus, it is one too many. Let’s work together to hold each other accountable for creating a safe, discrimination-free environment for everyone at K-State. I look forward to seeing everyone at these events throughout April."