April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and Dyson Wellness Center (DWC) is organizing the Start by Believing campaign for sexual assault survivors. This campaign is geared toward understanding the reasons why survivors might not come forward. Such as receiving negative responses from people around them. This campaign is to prepare NCC’s community to respond appropriately to and support survivors. Organizations, athletics teams, residents and other individuals on campus could take the pledge by taking a picture with the poster. Its intent is to showcase support on campus towards sexual assault survivors.
“All populations are represented and can get support,” said Health Education Coordinator and Campus Advocate Samantha Godfrey.
What is sexual assault?
Sexual assault can look many different ways. It can be physical, emotional or mental abuse; either inside or outside of relationships. It can involve threatening words, groping or another unwanted touching. After a sexual assault, survivors can have a variety of mental, and emotional implications that can be short or long term.
“It’s important to know that sexual assault can happen in any population any gender any ethnic group any social class it can happen to anyone and if it does happen to you you are not alone and there is support on campus for you,” said Godfrey.
Resources on campus
Students have the option of reporting sexual misconduct using the Campus Conduct Hotline, 866-943-5787, as well as filling a formal complaint of sexual misconduct. In addition, students have Title IX confidential resources, which include speaking to a campus advocate who is a confidential source that works through DWC. Survivors can also receive counseling on-campus, or off-campus with referrals. Ultimately, when the survivor may decide what the next steps are. For example, they can report the incident anonymously, seek counseling or a mixture of both.
Events on campus
The Start by Believing campaign will also feature a march and rally on April 27. The event will start with a resource table at Old Main from 3:00 to 3:30 p.m. Then at 3:30 p.m., there will be a speaker who will discuss the importance of believing survivors of sexual assault, and a march to the Benedtti-Wehrli Stadium. Lastly, it will conclude with additional speakers. Along the route to the stadium, there will be signs with statistics and affirmations for survivors. Students can also participate by wearing denim clothing to show support to survivors.
Take back the night
The National Organization for Women Campus Action Network (NOW) chapter, is hosting a march on Jefferson Lawn on April 28 at 6:30 p.m. They are having a guest speaker that will talk about sexual assault and violence. They will also be creating chalk art on the pedestrian spine in front of Wentz Science Center. Students can bring their own posters while the march goes through campus.
