Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Posted: April 1, 2022

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff, 

Each year, Seattle University recognizes Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) during April by hosting a number of events related to awareness, education and prevention for the SU community. 

Awareness of sexual assault and related discrimination remains a critical need and as an educational institution, we have a role to play. As we approach the 50th anniversary of the passage of the federal civil rights law, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), it is important to acknowledge the impact of this pervasive issue on safety, health and well-being for so many. While there is no doubt efforts like this must be ongoing and not limited to one month, SAAM provides a dedicated opportunity for us to collectively demonstrate our support for those who have experienced trauma, such as “Take Back the Night” on April 27, as well as a variety of ways to learn about interpersonal violence, including the Identity, Power and Sexual Violence Workshop on April 25 and “I Ask for Consent” sexual assault resource tables on April 6). I would like to extend my appreciation to all the offices for coordinating community education efforts this month and throughout the year, notably Wellness and Health Promotion and the Health and Wellness Crew (HAWC). 

We invite and encourage all Seattle University students, faculty and staff to participate in the events this month: 

  • Participate in and/or View “The Clothesline Project”
    April 4–15, Cherry Street Market (2nd floor of the Student Center)

    The Clothesline Project is a vehicle for people affected by violence to express their experiences and support by decorating a shirt. Shirts are hung on a clothesline as a testimony to the problem of power-based personal violence.  All students are welcome to pick up a shirt in the Wellness and Health Promotion office (Student Center 380) and may view the impactful collection of shirts while it is displayed on the 2nd and 3rd banisters of the Student Center or online.

    Sponsors: HAWC and Wellness and Health Promotion

  • Attend “Take Back the Night”
    April 27, 4–7 p.m., Student Center 160 (Fr. LeRoux Conference Center)

    Take Back the Night is held at numerous universities across the U.S. to raise awareness of sexual violence. Join HAWC, UREC, Wellness and Health Promotion, Alpha Phi Sigma, Campus Ministry, Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program, Public Safety and the Department of Criminal Justice, Criminology and Forensics for this event, in solidarity with those who have experienced sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual abuse and all other forms of sexual violence. The event is an in-person space for the Seattle University community to gather and will include the opportunity to share personal stories, Shine Your Light Yoga led by UREC, a campus walk and Peer Support with HAWC members.

    Sponsors: HAWC, Wellness and Health Promotion, UREC, Department of Criminal Justice, Criminology and Forensics, Alpha Phi Sigma and Public Safety, Campus Ministry, Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program 

  • Stop by our “I Ask for Consent” Sexual Assault Resources Table Event
    April 6, 1–2:30 p.m. Cherry Street Market (2nd floor of the Student Center)

    Education, support and community are big parts of violence prevention efforts. Join HAWC and Wellness and Health Promotion for a night of inclusive education focused on topics of consent, sexual health and human sexuality. Students can participate in the Kahoot games, learn about topics related to sexuality and win some awesome prizes!

    Sponsors: HAWC and Wellness and Health Promotion

  • Let’s Kahoot About Sex!
    April 13, 4–6 p.m. Wellness and Health Promotion office (Student Center 380) 

    Community members are welcome to stop by the 2nd floor of the Student Center and play games, get resources on violence prevention, learn more about consent, ask questions and pick up some swag.

    Sponsors: Wellness and Health Promotion, Public Safety, Department of Criminal Justice, Criminology and Forensics and Alpha Phi Sigma  

  • Join our fundraiser to support King County Sexual Assault Resource Center (KCSARC)
    April 21- Drip Tea will donate 50 percent of all profits to KCSARC on this day
    April 29- General Porpoise will donate 10 percent of all profits to KCSARC on this day
    May 2nd, 5–9 p.m. - Chipotle will donate 33 percent of event sales to KCSARC

    King County Sexual Assault Resource Center is an independent nonprofit providing free, confidential support to survivors, families, supporters and allies impacted by sexual assault in our communities. KCSARC offers online resources, therapy, family services, prevention and education, general advocacy and legal advocacy. They have a long history of being a trusted expert in resources, experience and empowerment while also seeking social change and education. We invite all community members to join Seattle University and our community partners in raising funds for KCSARC. For more information or to make a direct donation go to https://www.kcsarc.org/en/.

    Sponsors: HAWC, Wellness and Health Promotion, UREC, Drip Tea, General Porpoise, Chipotle, Department of Criminal Justice, Criminology and Forensics, Alpha Phi Sigma 

  • Attend Identity, Power and Sexual Violence: Workshop
    April 25, 1–3 p.m., Student Center 130 Multipurpose Room   

    Historically, the conversation about sex and violence has primarily centered on the experiences of white cis-hetero women, overlooking the disproportionate impact of sexual assault on LGBTQ+ and BIPOC individuals. This workshop, presented by the Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA) Assistant Director Ashlee Day, invites participants to learn more about the impact of sexual violence on people of marginalized identities today as well as the history of the role sexual violence has played in the oppression of LGBTQ+ communities and communities of color.

    Sponsors: OMA and Wellness and Health Promotion

  • Personal Safety Training with Seattle Police Department
    April 1, 4–6 p.m. Advancement and Alumni Building, Community Room 116 

    Join SPD in this facilitated discussion and lecture about crime prevention and safety. You will learn the significant role your instincts and gut reactions play, discover potentially dangerous situations and how to avoid them, learn to make a safety plan and reduce personal risk. This is not a self-defense class.Sponsors: Department of Criminal Justice, Criminology and Forensics, Alpha Phi Sigma, Seattle Police Department Crime Prevention and Wellness and Health Promotion
  • Self-Defense Workshop & Empowerment with Strategic Living Sponsored by SU Public Safety
    Zoom Session: April 13, noon–2 p.m., E-mail dmr@seattleu.edu for the link
    In-Person: April 20, 6–8 p.m., Student Center 160 Fr. LeRoux Conference Center 

    Strategic Living is a local community-oriented business that provides training in situational awareness and self-defense skills including intuition honing, de-escalation, boundary setting, assertive communication and fighting techniques.

    Sponsor: Public Safety 

Other ways to participate

If you are interested in volunteering at one of these events or getting more involved in Healthy Relationships, please e-mail wellness@seattleu.edu.

For more information about these events and to stay updated on events added later, visit https://www.seattleu.edu/wellness/saam/.

For information about resources and reporting options for those on campus impacted by sexual misconduct, please visit https://www.seattleu.edu/sexual-misconduct.

Sincerely,

Eduardo Peñalver, President

Natasha Martin, Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion

Jill Moffitt, Interim Assistant Vice President for Institutional Equity
Title IX Coordinator | ADA/504 Coordinator

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