Sexual Assault Awareness Month Events Get Under Way at University of Arkansas

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A “Day of Action Rally,” starting at 5 p.m. Thursday, April 3, in the Greek Theatre on the University of Arkansas campus, will be the first event for Sexual Assault Awareness month. There will be a number of educational and awareness events during the month of April to address and speak out against sexual assault and violence, particularly violence against women. The awareness campaign ends with the Take Back the Night March, starting at 7 p.m. Friday, April 25.

STAR Central, an office in the Pat Walker Health Center for Support, Training, Advocacy and Resources on Sexual Assault and Relationship Violence, was developed in 1998 and has been addressing the issues of sexual assault and relationship violence through awareness campaigns, education programs and victim advocacy services. As a program of STAR Central, a group called Rape Education Services by Peers Encouraging Conscious Thought, better known by its acronym, RESPECT, began in 2000 as a way to further reach out to university students through the use of peer education. RESPECT provides interactive, educational programs by college students for college students.

All events this month are sponsored by STAR Central and the RESPECT program.

This year’s starting event, which is nationally encouraged by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, is to host a “day of action” that supports community involvement for ending sexual violence. RESPECT has partnered with White Ribbon and Hot Pink Ribbon to create and implement a “Day of Action Rally” to be held at 5 p.m. Thursday, April 3, at the Greek Theatre on the University of Arkansas campus. Rally participants are encouraged to sign up for an action project and to carry through with the project during the month of April.

. “Life Beyond Rape: Survivor Stories” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 8, in the Arkansas Union, rooms 509-510. Survivors of sexual assault will share their stories as an inspiration that there is life after rape and to dispel myths associated with victim-blaming. This presentation will be cosponsored by Sexual Assault Recovery and Prevention Agency.

. “The Survivors’ Wall,” at the Northwest Quad on April 1-4, at Mullins Library on April 7-11, at the Multicultural Center on April 14-18, and at the Pat Walker Health Center on April 21-30. This compelling exhibit will feature stories and messages from survivors of sexual assault presented as a powerful and moving display of courage from those willing to speak out.

 . “No Witness: Exploring the Issues of Date Rape” is an interactive mock rape trial to be held in its eighth year on campus at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 16, in Law School room 240. As the scenario unfolds through a presentation of a court trial, the audience is challenged to consider all aspects of the case and whether the defendant should be found guilty or not guilty. A jury is pulled from the audience and while they deliberate, discussion is facilitated with the audience as rape myths are dispelled and risk reduction strategies are explored. The result of the trial and the defendant’s faith will be known after the jury comes back with its verdict on that evening.

. In its seventh year, “The Campus Clothesline Project” will be on display from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily April 21-25 in the courtyard between the Arkansas Union and Mullins Library. Beginning in 2001 with 80 T-shirts donated and decorated by university students, staff and faculty with messages of hope and support, risk reduction strategies, awareness facts, and messages from survivors, “The Campus Clothesline Project” has grown into an emotional exhibit that will feature more than 1,500 T-shirts hanging as a unified voice against sexual assault and relationship violence.

. This year marks the third annual Dress Down to Raise Awareness Day to be held on Friday, April 25. As a way for area businesses and organizations to raise awareness within the workplace, participants of this event pay $10 and receive a T-shirt to wear with their jeans to work for the day. Information pertaining to this event can be obtained from Heather Thordsen at (479) 575-7722.

As the culmination of the month, the sixth annual Northwest Arkansas Take Back the Night March will be held on Friday, April 25. Gathering will begin at the Arvest Plaza on the Fayetteville Square with opening remarks at 7 p.m. by Fayetteville Mayor Dan Coody, who will read a proclamation. Participants will march to the University of Arkansas via East Avenue, Dickson Street, and up through the lawn of Old Main to the courtyard between the Arkansas Union and Mullins Library. A candlelight vigil will be held in remembrance of and honoring the survivors of sexual and relationship violence. Additionally, inspirational words and songs along with a speak-out will occur to allow all to have a voice in unity against violence against women. The Campus Clothesline Project will remain on display that evening for participants to view after the march. Working with University Programs, all are invited to join activities of Friday Night Live afterward at the Arkansas Union.

For additional information or to schedule an interview, please contact Mary A. Wyandt-Hiebert at (479) 575-7252 or visit http://respect.uark.edu. The STAR Central Office and RESPECT are dedicated to and dream of a day when sexual and relationship violence no longer exists.