Take Back the Night, Survivor Art, Teal Part of SAAM Activities This Week

Sexual Assault Awareness Month organizers encourage the campus community to unite and participate in the many events and activities scheduled for the remainder of April.

Please note that some of these events contain sensitive information regarding sexual and relationship violence.

Bringing a holistic approach to Sexual Assault Awareness Month, campus events will focus on three themed weeks:

• Awareness and understanding
• Healing and support
• Action and advocacy

SAAM 2021 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

ACTION AND ADVOCACY — APRIL 19-30

Paint the Campus Teal
Across campus all week

• Show your advocacy in action. Through solidarity, we can collectively rise above sexual violence by recoloring our cultural canvas. Let others know you stand against sexual violence and the attitudes, myths and behaviors that lend to rape culture. Help paint the campus teal by way of showing your support. Example ideas include, but are not limited to, tying teal ribbons on trees, door signs (create your own or print and hang one of these), create and display a departmental banner, change your social media profile image, chalk the walk with a message of support for victims/survivors with teal chalk, etc.
• Coordinated through a campuswide partnership.

What Were You Wearing? Survivor Art Installation (Reflections in Art as Activism) Exhibit
April 19-23 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day at the Anne Kittrell Art Gallery (Arkansas Union, 4th Floor)

• The impactful exhibit that brings striking truth to debunking the popular myth surrounding clothing and sexual assault. University Programs joins the Sexual and Relationship Violence Center to display this exhibit throughout the week. The exhibit was created by staff of the Sexual and Relationship Violence Center and first displayed on campus in April 2014. Just a few short years later, the campus exhibit became a world phenomenon. Join the creators for a discussion panel on April 20 (information below).
• Sponsored by SRVC with University Programs.

Reflections in Art as Activism Panel Discussion
April 20 at 7 p.m. (virtual event)

• Join the co-creators of the worldwide sensation "What Were You Wearing? Survivor Art Installation." Dr. Mary A. Wyandt-Hiebert of the U of A and Jen Brockman of the University of Kansas join together again to share the inspiration for the exhibit and the story to its worldwide popularity. The event will be virtual as the U of A and University of Kansas participate with the discussion together.
• Join this Zoom event. Meeting ID: 820 9672 8952 Passcode: m3T+AjZB
• Sponsored by U of A SRVC with University of Kansas SAPEC.

The Sexual Violence Crisis in Graduate School
April 20 at 6 p.m. (virtual event)

• Multiple topics will be discussed, including consent, victim blaming, bystander intervention, accountability circles and power dynamics. Participants will also discuss options of what to do next when faced with sexual harassment or assault, including potential situations that would put a graduate student's research or degree on the line.
• Register for the event.
• Sponsored by graduate students.

Take Back the Night
April 22 at 7 p.m. at the Greek Theatre (plus Reynolds Razorback Stadium teal lighting) 

• Join us for an evening of solidarity against sexual violence. Fayetteville Mayor Lioneld Jordan will officially recognize the event with a proclamation, followed by an evening of varied events such as featured speakers, a Speak Out, a moment of silence and more at this advocacy in action event. Social distancing and mask wearing are to be followed in accordance with university and Arkansas Department of Health COVID guidance.
• Reynolds Razorback Stadium will be lit with teal light from 8-10 p.m. 
• Sponsored by SRVC (with special thanks to Razorback Athletics). 

Denim Day Exhibition
April 26-30 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day at the Anne Kittrell Art Gallery (Arkansas Union, 4th floor)

• An exhibit of jeans with SAAM-related decorations and messages of support and awareness
• Those who would like to participate in helping decorate jeans to be used in the exhibit will need to sign up on Hogsync to receive a pair of jeans.
• Then, jeans will be available to be picked up through April 16.
• Decorated jeans must be returned by April 20 so they can be used as a backdrop for the Take Back the Night event and then exhibited at the Denim Day Exhibition.
• In addition, students are encouraged to wear jeans, denim jackets and denim accessories the week of April 26-30.
• Sponsored by University Programs in partnership with SRVC.

Teal Slime
April 27 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Anne Kittrell Art Galley (Arkansas Union, 4th floor)

• Join us in making DIY teal slime.
• Sponsored by University Programs.

The campus community is encouraged to use the Sexual Assault Awareness Month graphic included with this story on social media accounts to help reinforce the commitment to ending sexual violence at the U of A.

As SAAM events unfold, the university truly wishes wellness for the entire community. The university recognizes that individuals who have experienced sexual violence are at different points in their healing processes. So, for anyone who may personally struggle as SAAM events receive heightened attention, a reminder that confidential campus support resources include the Sexual and Relationship Violence Center and CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services), both of the Pat Walker Health Center. Assistance may also be sought through U of A Cares and the Title IX Office.

Incidents of sexual harassment, misconduct, assault and discrimination may be reported through report.uark.edu.