Sexual Assault Awareness & Action Month 2023
In celebration of Sexual Assault Awareness and Action Month (SAAM), the Portland State University Women’s Resource Center is hosting a series of events in April 2023.
Theme: “On Our Time: Rooting Our Resistance in Rest & Connection”
Take Back the Night
Wednesday, April 26, 2023
6:00 to 8:00 pm
Wednesday, April 26, 2023
6:00 to 8:00 pm
Native American Student & Community Center (NASCC)
710 SW Jackson St, Portland, OR 97201
710 SW Jackson St, Portland, OR 97201
In celebration of Sexual Assault Awareness & Action Month (SAAM), the Portland State University Women’s Resource Center is hosting a series of events in April centering our Theme “On Our Time: Rooting Our Resistance in Rest & Connection.” Sexual Assault Awareness & Action Month 2023 will focus on the value and role of connection, amplifying stories, reclaiming our survivor experiences and healing, and building collective power related to survivors, survival, and world-building.
We are excited to bring to campus a focus on community care within this SAAM context. Our goal is to help create more spaces to hear the stories of those often not centered, such as Queer and Trans Survivors, Survivors of Color, Survivors with Disabilities, and the many varied points of intersections that are true for folks. By disrupting the dominant narrative, we know we can create spaces to hold our multitudes of experiences.
With our theme in mind, we hope to call attention to how collective care is a part of survivor healing. This year, we are excited to bring a community-led, and community-focused TBTN event where we will share our annual Zine Out! Speak Out! zine. In this Zine storytelling-centered event we highlight how stories and storytelling hold the opportunity for connection, healing, and reclamation of our power.
Join us this Sexual Assault Awareness & Action Month as we collectively center our interconnected futures and build towards a truly violence-free culture that offers safety, dignity, and access for us all.
Our deepest gratitude to our collaborators and sponsors: NASCC, GDI, SSWC, QRC, SLS, and La Casa Latina
Sexual Assault Awareness & Action Month 2023
Weaving Our Stories On Our Time - A Survivor Writing Workshop with SRVR Advocates Angeline and Haku. Wednesday, April 12th, 3:00 pm-4:30 pm, SMSU 439. Join us for a writing workshop for survivors. This will be a space to explore writing as a creative outlet as part of collective care and healing. This will be a hybrid event. ASL and live transcription are available by request.
Social Media, Sex & Privacy workshop with Student Legal Services: Tuesday, April 18th 2:00-3:00pm, Online. Join us for an online workshop on Social Media, Sex & Privacy with April Aster from PSU's Student Legal Service (SLS)--This workshop will explore social media disclosures of intimate information, revenge porn, sexual assault allegations, and the legal landscape concerning sex, free speech, and privacy.
Building A Self Care Toolbox with Plant Allies for Survivors with Manatee Medicinals. Wednesday, April 19th, 3:00 pm-4:30 pm, SMSU 439. We’re excited to host this workshop with local community organizer and community builder Manatee Medicinals. They will offer a space for folks to learn more about healing support via plant allies. This will be a hybrid event. ASL and live transcription are available by request.
Sanando Heridas Interpersonales: Interpersonal Violence, Patriarchy, and Consent Within Latine Communities Tuesday, April 24th. 2:00-3:30pm Join La Casa Latina and the Women's Resource Center for Sexual Assault Awareness Month to discuss sexual violence and models of consent within Latine communities and popular culture. We will have goodie bags, machismo within telenovelas bingo, and resources for survivors of SA and IPV. Our goal is to create an environment of education and empowerment within our community. Confidential advocates will be present throughout the event.
Denim Day (Hosted by Illuminate) Wednesday, April 26th, PSU park blocks
Denim Day is a campaign to spread awareness and educate people about sexual violence. Denim Day always happens on the last Wednesday in April. We ask people to wear denim as a visible sign of protest against sexual violence and to come together as a community.
Wednesday, April 26th from 6:00-8:00 pm at the Native American Student and Community Center (NASCC). We welcome you to join us for a community resource fair, our annual survivor zine release, and community speakers. We will share stories, visual art, and written works while centering survivor-hood, taking up space, and reclaiming our voices. TBTN will include ASL interpretation and live steamed (live captioning available in English). Childcare is available by request (request childcare by clicking here). Thank you to our co-sponsors: Native American Student & Community Center, Queer Resource Center, Global Diversity, and Inclusion, and Services for Students with Children.
Getting involved:
We are looking for sponsors for our events! If you would like to provide financial support to offset the costs for these events, we would love to work with you and feature you as a SAAM sponsor. Please reach out to Nic if you are interested: nicfran@pdx.edu
Are you a student survivor of sexual violence wanting to share your art in your own powerful way? If so, we'd love and encourage you to contribute to this very important Sexual Assault Awareness and Action Month project: Zine Out! Speak Out! zine. The purpose of this project is to provide a platform for a collective of student survivors to express themselves fully through art and awareness. A collective zine will be created and given away at TBTN. Please consider donating to the Survivor Hardship Fund. You can submit your art and writing here and, with your consent, your work may be displayed or performed at Take Back the Night! Submissions are open until April 16, 2023.
As a reminder, PSU students experiencing sexual and relationship violence (sexual assault, sexual harassment, dating/domestic violence, or stalking) can be connected to a confidential advocate, book an appointment, and learn more about our program and services here.
Take Back the Night
Wednesday, 4/26/2023
6:00 to 8:00 pm
Wednesday, 4/26/2023
6:00 to 8:00 pm
NASCC: 710 SW Jackson St, 97201
We welcome you to join us for a community resource fair, our annual survivor zine release, and a variety of community speakers. We will be sharing stories, visual art, and written works while centering survivor-hood, taking up space, and reclaiming our voices.
Refreshments provided, ASL will be provided and the event will be live-streamed with live captioning. Childcare will be available by request.
Registration link. Registration is not required to attend in person but you are welcome to register to help us plan for supplies & food. If you would like to attend by zoom we do request that you register: Registration link will be added soon.
Weaving Our Stories On Our Time - A Survivor Writing Workshop with SRVR Advocates Angeline and Haku
Wednesday, April 12, 2023
1:00 to 3:00 pm
Wednesday, April 12, 2023
1:00 to 3:00 pm
SMSU 439
Weaving our stories on our time is a survivor centered writing workshop to cultivate a space to reclaim power through personal writing. We will look to existing examples of how creating and sharing survivor stories allows for a shared history keeping. Through a shared belief that by disrupting the dominant narrative, we can create spaces that can hold our multitudes of experiences. Participants will have an opportunity to begin a new writing project, get feedback on workshopping writing, and submit to the Zine Out Speak Out Zine, should they choose to.
Wearing a mask is highly encouraged! Masks will be available.
Access Info: Refreshments provided. Hybrid Zoom option available with auto-generated captioning. If you would like to request ASL or English live captioning, please contact us at wrc@pdx.edu.
Registration
Registration Link. Registration is not required to attend in person but you are welcome to register to help us plan for supplies. If you would like to attend by zoom we do request that you register: Registration link (to be added soon)
Building A Self Care Toolbox with Plant Allies for Survivors with Tavi Waits from Manatee Medicinals
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
3:00 to 4:30 pm
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
3:00 to 4:30 pm
SMSU 439
Through a relational and trauma-informed lens, this intro-level class covers a broad range of basic overviews related to plant medicine, including: nervous system health and emotional self-regulation, how to build and maintain a "Self-Care Toolbox", and holistic/whole-body resilience-building via maintenance of different body-mind-spirit systems. We will acknowledge different non-hierarchical cultural perspectives and experiences of herbal medicine, with a focus on Nervine and Adaptogenic herbs and how we can work with different kinds effectively and safely for stress, anxiety, sleep support and more.
This class is appropriate for all levels of experience–all are welcome! Students will be able to leave class with a blended tea or other product made by the instructor.
Please note, this workshop will not be providing medical advise.
Wearing a mask is highly encouraged! Masks will be available.
Access Info: Refreshments provided. Hybrid Zoom option available with auto-generated captioning. If you would like to request ASL or English live captioning, please contact us at wrc@pdx.edu.
Registration
Registration link. Registration is not required to attend in person, but you are welcome to register to help us plan for supplies. If you would like to attend via zoom we do request that you register: Registration link (to be added soon)
Social Media, Sex, and Privacy workshop with Student Legal Services
Tuesday, April 18th, 2:00-3:00pm
Online only
Join us for an online workshop on Social Media, Sex & Privacy with April Aster from PSU's Student Legal Service (SLS)--This workshop will explore social media disclosures of intimate information, revenge porn, sexual assault allegations, and the legal landscape concerning sex, free speech, and privacy.
April Aster is the Assistant Director of PSU Student Legal Services, where she provides legal advice and representation to PSU students. April assists students who are victims of revenge porn and survivors of interpersonal violence through restraining order proceeds and other cases in domestic relations court.
Access: If you would like to request ASL or English live captioning, please contact us at sls@pdx.edu.
Registration
Registration Link. Once registered you will be sent the zoom link.
Sanando heridas interpersonales: Interpersonal Violence, Patriarchy, and Consent within Latine Communities
Tuesday, April 24th, 2:00-3:30pm
La Casa Latina
Join La Casa Latina and the Women's Resource Center for Sexual Assault Awareness Month to discuss sexual violence and models of consent within Latine communities and popular culture. We will have goodie bags, machismo within telenovelas bingo, and resources for survivors of SA and IPV. Our goal is to create an environment of education and empowerment within our community. Confidential advocates will be present throughout the event.
Access: If you would like to request ASL, please contact us at wrc@pdx.edu.
Registration
Registration is not required to attend. If you would like to register to receive reminders, you can register here: (link to be added soon)
Submit to our Survivor Zine!
Call for Submissions for our Zine Out! Speak Out Survivor Storytelling Zine. Students are invited to submit art and writing here.
As survivors, storytelling through art and writing can be an important way to regain power through sharing your stories and experiences on your terms, in your way, with your voice.
With your consent, your work may be displayed or performed at Take Back the Night! The purpose of this project is to provide a platform for a collective of student survivors to express themselves fully through art and awareness. Submissions are open until April 16th.
Watch 2022's Take Back the Night Panel Event
Take Back the Night History
Each year at PSU, Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) centers the voices of survivors across campus and in the larger Portland community. In 1973, Take Back the Night was birthed by folks in San Francisco protesting the serial murders and violence against women of color in Los Angeles. This effort has and continues to work toward eliminating sexual and domestic violence in all forms by providing a space for awareness, community, and action.
The Women's Resource Center at Portland State has hosted Take Back the Night since 1999. Collectively, we welcome you to help center how our futures are all interconnected and that a truly violence-free culture must offer safety, dignity, and access for us all. We have immense gratitude to the many folks on campus who’ve helped make Take Back the Night and SAAM possible over the years.
2023
Theme: "On Our Time: Rooting Our Resistance in Rest & Connection"
April 26, 2023
2022
Theme: “Collective Self Determination: Power, Transformation, and Accountability”
Panel discussion with community leaders Anna So, Vo, and claire barrera, moderated by Zubbi Azubuike
April 28, 2022
2021
Theme: “We Are Each Others’ Future: Resistance, Resilience, and Interdependence”
Speaker: Tourmaline
April 22, 2021
2020
Theme: “Disability Justice & Sexual Violence: Power, Healing, and Interdependence”
Speaker: Leah Lakshmi Piepzna Samarasinha
April 23, 2020
2019
Theme: “We Are Worthy: Combatting Disposability & Honoring Our Inherent Worthiness”
Speaker: Dr. Alexis Pauline Gumbs
April 26, 2019
2018
Theme: “Disrupting the Prototype: Who Gets Believed as Survivors"
Speaker: Akilah Powell, Emily Lai, Dara Snyder, Jackie Sandmeyer, Alex Herrera, Cicely Rodgers
April 17, 2018
2017
Theme: “Consent Culture and the Freedom to Change”
Speaker: Feminista Jones
April 13, 2017
2016
Theme: “Intersectionality and Title IX”
Speaker: Dr. Treva Lindsey (Day)
Speaker: Leah Lakshmi Piepzna Samarasinha (Night)
April 26, 2016
2015
Theme: “Violence Against Queer and Trans Communities”
Speaker: Jackie Sandmeyer
April 23, 2015
2014
Theme: “Transforming Rape Culture: Rewriting the Narrative”
Speaker: Monica Weitzel
April 24, 2014
Resources
PSU WRC Take Back the Night 2019 with Dr. Alexis Pauline Gumbs
PSU WRC Take Back the Night 2020 with Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha
PSU WRC Take Back the Night 2021 with Tourmaline
Sexual and Relationship Violence Response - Confidential Advocate
Sexual and Relationship Violence Response - Culturally Responsive Organizations and Programs
Sexual and Relationship Violence Response - More Local Resources
National Sexual Violence Resource Center - History of Sexual Assault Awareness and Action Month
National Sexual Violence Resource Center - SAAM 2022: Building Safe Online Spaces Together
Strategies for Survivors - Philly Survivor Support Collective
Supporting a Survivor of Sexual Assault - UBUNTU and Men Against Rape Culture
Community Organizers Address Sexual Violence Without the Criminal Justice System - Nicole Froio
Resisting Gender Violence Without Cops or Prisons - Interview with Victoria Law
Ending Child Sexual Abuse: A Transformative Justice Handbook - Generation Five
A Different Path for Confronting Sexual Assault - Sujatha Baliga