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.

Take Back the Night 2023

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 

• We need SAAM volunteers!

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.