April 5, 2017
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month: K-State is joining the 'Engaging New Voices' campaign
Submitted by Cleopatra Magwaro
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. This year's campaign is "Engaging New Voices," focusing on involving community leaders and groups, as well as bystanders, to prevent sexual assault.
The K-State Center for Advocacy, Response and Education, CARE, will have several events throughout the month of April.
Anyone can use their voice to change the culture around sexual violence by participating in the Sexual Assault Awareness Month campaign through the CARE office or being a bystander, reporting an incident, or simply learning more about how to make a positive impact on campus.
Follow the Sexual Assault Awareness Month campaign on social media using the hashtag #SAAM when communicating with friends and family, and start a conversation or just get people to start thinking about their own views on this issue.
The history of Sexual Assault Awareness Month can be traced back to the late 1970s in England where women held protests against violence they encountered while walking at night. The marches were called "Take Back the Night" marches, which still occur on college campuses throughout the U.S. During the 1980s, there was increased focus and awareness on violence against women, and the National Coalition Against Sexual Assault declared a week in April for Sexual Assault Awareness Week. By the 1990s, some advocates set aside events for the entire month of April and they sought to nationalize this campaign. On April 1, 2001, the U.S. observed the first Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Kansas State University prohibits sexual harassment and discrimination, various forms of sexual violence, stalking, domestic violence, dating violence, pregnancy discrimination, and gender identity/expression discrimination covered by PPM 3010. The Office of Institutional Equity is mandated to enforce PPM 3010.
To file a report with the Office of Institutional Equity, please use the online form or contact the office at 785-532-6220 or equity@k-state.edu.
Additional off-campus resources include the National Violence Resource Center; National Coalition Against Domestic Violence; Kansas Coalition against Sexual and Domestic Violence; and Men Can Stop Rape — 30 Days of Strength campaign.
See additional campus' resources online.