SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION & AWARENESS MONTH
April is observed as Sexual Assault Prevention & Awareness Month. This initiative was officially declared in 2001 by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, with the purpose of unifying state coalitions, college campuses, and community organizations in their efforts to end all forms of sexual assault, harassment, and abuse. Now in the 23rd year of official observation, individuals and communities come together during this month to honor the grassroots activism that has led to systemic change in the way we recognize, prevent, and respond to sexual violence, while also advancing education and social change around present-day challenges related to this public health issue.
Sexual assault is a type of interpersonal violence that someone can experience at any point in the life course – as a child, adolescent, young adult, adult, or as an elder. Definitions to be aware of include:
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- Sexual Assault:
- Rape: penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person, without the presence of active, willing & ongoing consent.
- Fondling: intentionally touching the private body parts of another person without consent. This may occur over or underneath clothing. It includes coercing someone to touch another person or themselves.
- Incest: any sexual contact that occurs between individuals related to each other within the degrees where marriage is prohibited by law.
- Sexual Assault:
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- Statutory Rape: intentionally or knowingly causing sexual penetration of a child (person younger than 17 years old)
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- Sexual Exploitation: Taking non-consensual or abusive sexual advantage of another for one’s own advantage or benefit, or to benefit or advantage anyone other than the one being exploited.
Sexual assault often occurs alongside stalking, dating and domestic abuse, and human trafficking. It is an escalation of physical abuse that may include warning signs of psychological, emotional, economic, and verbal abuse, as well as behaviors that are intended to intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, and isolate someone.
While this topic is obviously difficult to talk about & acknowledge, it is clearly important to understand that it affects undergraduate and graduate/professional students on our campus and others within our communities. While our Texas A&M University campus and surrounding community are safe places to learn, work, and live, Aggies are still impacted by power-based personal violence. In the most recent Association of American Universities Survey on Sexual Assault and Misconduct (2019), we know the following from students at Texas A&M who participated (N=3,140: includes undergraduate & graduate/professional students):
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- 68% of students, across five different gender and affiliation groups, experienced sexual assault as a result of penetration involving physical force or inability to consent
This underscores the importance of why college campuses remain at the forefront of providing prevention education and supporting students in identifying the appropriate resources that support their safety & healing. We hope that you will join us in solidarity to each other as an Aggie community and the broader communities you represent.
Resources
If you or someone you know is being impacted by sexual violence (including dating or domestic abuse, stalking, exploitation, or harassment) we encourage you to contact the Sexual Assault Resource Center of Brazos Valley (SARC) at 979-731-1000 or the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-4673. These lines are confidential and available 24/7. April is also recognized as National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Scotty's House is our local agency that provides support to minors affected by any type of abuse, including sexual violence.
- Baylor Scott & White Medical Center. This is the only medical center in Brazos Valley that currently has 24/7 on call forensic nurses. Survivors who are seeking medical care and may want to pursue a forensic exam are encouraged to go here, to minimize re-traumatization. The Sexual Assault Resource Center dispatches a state-certified advocate to provide trauma-informed support during the hospital intake and medical processes.
- Twin City Mission Domestic Violence Services. Contact for safety planning around relationship violence & abuse, emergency & long-term housing options, counseling, case management, and/or legal advocacy.
- Unbound Bryan College-Station. Contact for support with any suspected or known human trafficking in Brazos Valley.
- Texas A&M University Health Services. Provides individualized counseling, support groups for survivors, medical care, medication & pharmacy services, emergency contraception, PrEP and PEP, and longer-term post-care following a forensic exam at Baylor Scott & White.
These agencies work together with the Sexual Assault Resource Center, Scotty's House, and other state & national organizations, to provide protections to anyone who has experienced or witnessed violence & abuse.
Sources:
Association of American Universities, Survey on Sexual Assault and Misconduct (2019). Texas A&M University Report.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2020). Violence Prevention.
Texas A&M University, Department of Civil Rights and Equity Investigations (2022). Glossary of Terms.
2024 SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION & AWARENESS MONTH EVENTS
Books That Speak Out
Health Promotion has partnered with the University Libraries to host Books That Speak Out virtual and physical resource displays for the prevention education of sexual violence. These displays include a variety of books, journals, documentaries, podcasts, national organizations and movements, confidential resources, and ways to identify and respond to this issue.
LibGuide: tx.ag/BooksThatSpeakOut
Physical Display - Business Library & Collaboration Commons (West Campus Library): April 1-30.
Physical Display - Evans Library: April 1-30.
Audience: Everyone
Sponsored by: Texas A&M Health Promotion and Texas A&M University Libraries
SLIDE's Sexual Assault Awareness Week
A week-long program to spread awareness and prevent sexual violence on our campus and in our community. Throughout the week, there will be profit shares, a virtual fundraiser, and a donation drive to help support the Sexual Assault Resource Center of Brazos Valley (SARC). Follow @tamuslide on Instagram for a full list of events during the week.
Dates and Times: April 1-5, various locations around campus & the community
Events:
- Monday, April 1:
- Rudder Plaza resource tabling, bannering with SAAW letters
- Fuzzy's Taco Shop trivia night and profit share, benefitting the Sexual Assault Resource Center of Brazos Valley, 6:00-9:00pm
- Tuesday, April 2:
- Rudder Plaza resource tabling, bannering with SAAW letters
- Wednesday, April 3:
- Rudder Plaza resource tabling, bannering with SAAW letters
- Take Back The Night, Aggie Park, 6:00-8:30pm
- Thursday, April 4:
- Rudder Plaza resource tabling, bannering with SAAW letters
- Friday, April 5:
- Rudder Plaza resource tabling, bannering with SAAW letters
Audience: Everyone
Sponsored By: Sophomore Leaders Impacting, Developing and Educating (SLIDE)
Sexual Assault Awareness Month National Day of Action
The Sexual Assault Awareness Month National Day of Action (also known as Teal Tuesday) aims to stop sexual violence through education on consent, boundaries, and creating systemic change. Individuals are encouraged to wear teal, the designated awareness color, to show their support for sexual assault prevention, education, and policy that support survivors & resources. Share a photo on social media with a message of why you care about prevention. Use #SAAM and tag @tamuhealthpromotion and @SARCBV on Instagram.
Date: Tuesday, April 2
Location: All day social media campaign. Resource table in Rudder Plaza from 10:00am-4:00pm, in collaboration with Sophomore Leaders Impacting, Developing and Educating (SLIDE) as they recognize Sexual Assault Awareness Week.
Audience: Everyone
Sponsored By: Texas A&M Health Promotion and the Sexual Assault Resource Center of Brazos Valley (SARC)
Take Back The Night
The International Take Back The Night Foundation creates safe communities and respectful relationships through awareness events and initiatives, with the goal of ending all forms of sexual violence. Join us for a night of awareness, resources, community connection, and fundraising for our local survivor support agencies: the Sexual Assault Resource Center of Brazos Valley, Twin City Mission Domestic Violence Services, UnBound BCS, and Scotty’s House.
Date and Time: Tuesday, April 3, 6:00-8:30pm
Location: Aggie Park, War Hymn Lawn
Audience: Everyone
Sponsored By: Texas A&M Health Promotion, Feminism 4 Aggies, and Sophomores Leading, Impacting, Developing and Educating (SLIDE)
Schedule of Events and Organizations Present: tx.ag/TakeBackTheNight
MaroonBase Eligible Event: Up to 250 points
Unbound Now BCS: Night of Hope
Night of Hope is a powerful event that will celebrate the courageous victories of the survivors Unbound Now BCS serves, and casts vision for Unbound Now’s work in the coming year.
Date: Thursday, April 4 from 6:00-9:00pm
Location: The Weinberg at Wixon Valley
Audience: Everyone. This is a fundraising, awareness & prevention event that directly supports UnBound Now BCS. Should you be interested in purchasing individual tickets, a sponsorship, or simply want to donate an amount of your choosing to their organization, you may do so here.
Volunteers are needed before, during, and after the event. Click here to view and sign-up for open shifts.
Sponsored By: Unbound Now BCS
Shatter: A Survivor Fashion Show
What were you wearing? In fashion, this question celebrates creativity, identity, and status. For survivors of sexual assault, this question blames them for the violence that happened to them. The Sexual Assault Resource Center is honored to stand with survivors on April 6, 2024, as they host Shatter: A Survivor Fashion Show. This show will bring light to survivors' rights and awareness to the shame and stigma that survivors often feel in the aftermath of their trauma. Together, our community can stand to reclaim our power and shatter the silence.
Date: Saturday, April 6, 7:00-8:30pm
Location: The Shirley & Joe Swinbank '74 Agrilife Center
Address: 556 John Kimbrough Blvd, College Station, TX 77843
Audience: Everyone. This is a ticketed event with proceeds going back to the Sexual Assault Resource Center of Brazos Valley. Purchase individual and package tickets here
Sponsored By: The Sexual Assault Resource Center of Brazos Valley
Ask Me About My Beard Campaign
The “Ask Me About My Beard” Campaign is meant to include male voices in the conversation about sexual assault prevention and awareness, but anyone may participate. It involves interested members wearing a button with the phrase “ask me about my beard." The idea is that wearing the button will spark conversations with people on campus and in their daily lives, which will provide an opportunity to share educational resources on sexual assault prevention and educational events happening in April.
Would you like to be involved in this Campaign? Contact Jon Hill, Health Promotion Specialist, at Jonh@studentlife.tamu.edu. We have made information cards with talking points, links to event calendars, and resources to provide so there is no expectation for participants to be experts on the topic.
Dates and Times: April 8-13, various locations around campus & the community
Audience: Everyone
Sponsored by: Texas A&M Health Promotion
STAND Up Trauma-Informed Care: Virtual Overview for Students
The STAND Up Virtual Overview, which is administered as a part of our larger STAND Up Trauma-Informed Care initiative on campus, is intended to provide general information about the impacts of trauma related to experiencing power-based personal violence, and basic knowledge of trauma-informed response & relevant resources.
Date and Time: Monday, April 8, 7:00-8:00pm
Location: Zoom (Virtual Instruction)
Audience: Texas A&M Students
Sponsored By: Texas A&M Health Promotion
Registration Required: tx.ag/StandUpWorkshop
MaroonBase Eligible Event: 100 points
Sunset Boxing with Living Well and Rec Sports
Challenge your routine with a boxing class offered by Living Well and RecSports in solidarity of Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Month (SAPAM).
Join our nationally certified group fitness instructors in an authentic boxing class! This class includes the basics of circuit training, shadow boxing, mitt work and full-body conditioning exercises. Build your strength and cardiovascular endurance in this progressive program suited for all fitness levels.
Dates and Times:
- Tuesday, April 9: 6:45-7:45pm
- Thursday, April 11: 6:45-7:45pm
- Monday, April 15: 6:45-7:45pm
- Wednesday, April 17: 6:45-7:45pm
Location: Student Recreation Center, Heavy Bag Room (REC 1119); enter the south entrance near Olsen Field
Address: 797 Olsen Blvd, College Station, TX 77843
Audience: Everyone
Faculty & Staff Registration: Click here
Students: Registration link forthcoming
Sponsored by: Living Well and Rec Sports
Green Dot Bystander Intervention: Virtual Overview for Students
The Green Dot Overview, which is administered as a part of our larger Green Dot Bystander Intervention program on campus, is intended to provide basic knowledge and strategies for how to safely & effectively intervene when witnessing an act of power-based personal violence. Participants will identify warning signs of sexual violence, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking; become more self-aware of barriers that prevent them from taking action; explore intervention strategies that are realistic for them in different contexts; identify pro-social behaviors to use in every day practice that establish norms that are intolerant of violence.
Date and Time: Wednesday, April 10, 7:00-8:30pm
Location: Zoom (Virtual Instruction)
Audience: Texas A&M Students
Sponsored By: Texas A&M Health Promotion
Registration Required: tx.ag/GreenDotWorkshop
MaroonBase Eligible Event: 100 points
Trauma-Informed Yoga on the Green
The Sexual Assault Resource Center of Brazos Valley has partnered with Rec Sports to host a community-based, trauma-informed yoga course. This event recognizes the importance of physical, emotional, social, and spiritual wellness as a part of healing from sexual violence or any other types of trauma. The event will feature a one-hour yoga course led by a certified trauma-informed yoga instructor, self-care strategies, and connection with the Sexual Assault Resource Center of Brazos Valley to learn more about their advocacy & prevention services. This is a space that welcomes survivors or abuse, their friends, allies, and anyone who wants to learn more & get involved. The event is free and open to anyone, regardless of yoga skill level. There will also be giveaways from Lulu Lemon, which has graciously donated items to this event and cause.
Date and Time: Sunday, April 21, 8:00-9:00am
Location: Century Square, Green Space
Address: 175 Century Square Dr, College Station, TX 77840
Parking: Free parking in the Century Square parking garage
Audience: Everyone
Sponsored by: The Sexual Assault Resource Center of Brazos Valley and Texas A&M Rec Sports
Healing With Friends: Trauma-Informed Yoga with Rec Sports
Health Promotion and Rec Sports have partnered on this event since 2019, to recognize the importance of physical wellness, emotional wellness, and resilience as a part of violence prevention education. This event features a one-hour trauma-informed yoga class, self-care strategies, and information about campus & community resources. Participants may choose to attend in person at the Rec Center or through Zoom, and privacy will be protected in both formats. It is a space that welcomes survivors of abuse, their friends, allies, and anyone who wants to simply learn more, connect, and be involved. This event is free and open to anyone (A&M and the community), regardless of yoga skill level.
Date and Time: Wednesday, April 24, 6:00-7:00pm
Location: Rec Center (REC) 2221 and Zoom
Address: 187 Corrington Dr, College Station, TX 77843
Parking: Visitor parking or any valid A&M parking permit after 5pm (West Campus Garage, Lots 100A-J)
Audience: Everyone
Sponsored by: Texas A&M Rec Sports and Texas A&M Health Promotion
Registration Required: tx.ag/HealingWithFriends
MaroonBase Eligible Event: 100 points
Denim Day
Denim Day is the longest running sexual violence prevention and education campaign in history. Denim Day asks community members, elected officials, businesses, and students to make a social statement by wearing jeans on this day as a visible means of protest against the misconceptions that surround sexual violence. Share a photo on social media and tell us why you observe Denim Day. Use #DenimDay, #SAAM, and #SAPAM and tag @tamu_studentlife and @SARCBV on Instagram. Learn more at DenimDay.org.
Date: Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Location: All day social media campaign
Audience: Everyone
Sponsored By: Texas A&M Health Promotion and the Sexual Assault Resource Center of Brazos Valley