STAR Central and RESPECT Program Announce Events for Sexual Assault Awareness Month

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STAR Central and the RESPECT program will host events in April that address sexual assault and relationship violence.

According to several studies, one in five women, and one in 71 men, are victims of sexual violence in their lifetimes. According to the 2015 AAU Climate Survey on Sexual Assault and Sexual Misconduct college students are at increased risk, with one in four college women and one in 16 college men experiencing sexual assault while in college. Sexual violence continues to be major public health, human rights and social justice issue, and it impacts everyone.

In the United States, April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, with the goal of raising public awareness about sexual violence and educating communities on how to prevent it. Here at the University of Arkansas, STAR Central and the RESPECT program will host various educational and awareness events that address and speak out against sexual assault and relationship violence.

"Although we focus on creating awareness and prevention year-round, an awareness month allows for concentrated public exposure to the important issue of sexual violence that plagues our nation," says STAR Central Director Mary Wyandt-Hiebert. "Fostering greater awareness of any matter of concern is the first step to creating dialogue about the need for change."

Sexual Assault Awareness Month kicks-off with the eighth annual "Flag Project." From now until April 13, the Arkansas Union courtyard will be covered in red and white flags to symbolize the 3,143 female and 748 male students that could potentially be or have been victims of sexual violence based on research statistics. "This powerful display provides a visual-perspective as to why we must stand together to end sexual violence," said Wyandt-Hiebert. "We must recognize the scope of the problem and embrace that prevention is not only possible, but gravely needed."

Other awareness and educational events include:

• Weekly film screenings that address various aspects of sexual violence and rape culture.
• Compelling art exhibits that share the stories of victims of sexual assault and dispel myths.
• Interactive outreach activities for students to understand that preventing acts of sexual violence is possible.

View the complete list of events, dates and times.

The 14th annual Northwest Arkansas "Take Back The Night" march will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 21,, starting at the Fayetteville Square. Men, women and children will come together as a unified voice denouncing sexual assault and relationship violence, marching. to Old Main on campus.

The event will also include a candlelight vigil to honor the victims and survivors of sexual assault, as well as inspirational words and songs from guest speakers, and more. Learn more about this year's Take Back the Night march.

Look for more information about Sexual Assault Awareness Month on the Arkansas Newswire, around campus and on the Pat Walker Health Center and RESPECT social media channels. You can also visit respect.uark.edu.

About STAR Central

STAR Central, an office in the Pat Walker Health Center Wellness & Health Promotion Department, provides Support, Training, Advocacy and Resources on Sexual Assault and Relationship Violence. Developed in 1998, STAR Central addresses the issues of sexual assault and relationship violence through the provision of awareness campaigns, education programs, and victim advocacy services.

About RESPECT

As a program of STAR Central, 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 and educational programs by college students for college students.