Sexual Assault Awareness Month Events Announced

Flags representing potential victims – 2013

Dressing down to raise awareness – 2013

Take Back the Night March – 2013

Take Back the Night March – 2013

Take Back the Night candlelight vigil -- 2013

Photo Submitted

Take Back the Night March – 2013

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Aprils is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and STAR Central and the RESPECT program at the University of Arkansas will sponsor and lead a number of educational and awareness events. These are intended to address and speak out against sexual assault and violence, particularly violence against women.

Events include exhibits, films, educational programs and the annual Take Back the Night March.

An exhibit, “What were you wearing? Art Installation” is on display at the Arkansas Union Connections Lounge through Friday, April 4. This compelling exhibit will feature clothing that was worn at the time of sexual assaults and rapes of many different survivors along with short statements by the victims.

On Tuesday, April 8, RESPECT will participate with “Straight Shot” from 5-7 p.m. at Pomfret Hall. This event is an alternative program with focus on prevention of sexual assault and substance abuse.

A double-feature documentary film night will be held on Friday, April 11, at Maple Hill South Theater. The first film, Miss Representation, will begin at 7 p.m., immediately followed by the second film, The Invisible War. Each film portrays powerful messages about the effects of rape and sexual violence in our society, with emphasis on the effects on women.

The “Survivor Wall” will be on display daily April 14-25 at the Pat Walker Health Center. Viewers of the display will be able to witness the experiences of rape survivors through reading their stories that they have courageously shared.

In its fifth year, “The Fourth Flag Project” will be on display daily April 16-25 in the courtyard between the Arkansas Union and Mullins Library. Fall 2013 enrollment statistics indicate that 12,740 women are enrolled at the University of Arkansas. Nationally, 1 in 4 college women are sexually assaulted. This powerful display will have 3,185 small flags on exhibit to represent every fourth female student on U of A campus. The flags boldly state, “1 in 4 no more.”

This year marks the ninth annual Dress Down to Raise Awareness Day to be held on Thursday, April 24. As a way to raise awareness within the workplace, participants of this event pay $10 and receive a Take Back the Night glow-in-the-dark T-shirt to wear with their jeans or khakis to work for the day while making a “fashion statement.”

As the culmination of the month’s activities, the 12th annual Northwest Arkansas Take Back the Night March will be held on Thursday, April 24. Gathering will begin at the Arvest Plaza on the Fayetteville Square with opening remarks at 7 p.m. Participants will march to the University of Arkansas via East Avenue, Dickson Street, across Old Main lawn to the front of Old Main. A candlelight vigil will be held in front of Old Main to remember and honor 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 to unify against violence against women.

STAR Central, an office in the Pat Walker Health Center for Support, Training, Advocacy and Resources on Sexual Assault and Relationship Violence, has been addressing the issues of sexual assault and relationship violence since 1998, through awareness campaigns, education programs, and victim advocacy services. As a program of STAR Central, Rape Education Services by Peers Encouraging Conscious Thought, or 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.

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