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University Housing Supports Sexual Assault Awareness Month!

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), and University Housing is partnering with the Center for Health Education & Wellness to support Volunteers in their efforts to pledge, reach out, and speak up about this important issue! The month is comprised of a variety of events dedicated to raising awareness of sexual assault on campus, including Hike the Hill in Heels and Group Dialogues. This year, the Residence Hall Challenge will give those who live on campus the opportunity to join a team of their fellow residents, and earn points by participating in these events! Led by Resident Assistant champions from across campus, teams will engage with the CHEW and University Housing on social media, and compete for a special prize! Meet the Resident Assistants who are champions for this issue below!

 

Abigail RiderSouth Carrick

“Sexual Assault Awareness, in my mind, is important, because we need to start talking about it; we need to know it is happening. As a campus community, we need to learn how to support those who have been assaulted, how to respond in a way of nurture not blame, how to have the courage to speak up and say something when something needs to be said, and how to get help if you need and want it. We need to educate people on what consent is, what assault is. This initiative is for all of us – for women and for men, for students and for staff, for our time at UT and beyond. I’m proud to be a part of a project and a university that is making strides to educate and spread awareness about sexual assault.”

Abigail is the team leader for North Carrick, South Carrick, Orange, White, and Morrill!  Sign up to be on Abigail’s team here.


Kara Amin – Clement Hall

“‘Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.’ Dr. King’s words echo in my head whenever I think of sexual assault awareness. I don’t know about you, but I can’t be silent on the topic of sexual assault and rape. This is such a prevalent issue that affects our friends, sisters, brothers, and fellow Volunteers. This matters because no one should be subjected to those types of acts. So it’s on us to end sexual assault.”

Kara is the team leader for Clement, Laurel, and Volunteer.  Sign up to be on Kara’s team here.


Laura Bulmer – Massey Hall

“Sexual assault awareness to me is one of the most important things we need to discuss, especially on a college campus. It is way too prevalent and not talked about nearly enough. The fact that we still have victims of sexual assault on our campus that feel they cannot report or speak up about their assault says to me that we need to make a change. Personally, I don’t want any fellow Vol to have to suffer in silence. I am excited to be involved with this initiative and I hope we can begin to improve the way we talk about sexual assault at UT.”

Carrie Sengchanthavong – Massey Hall

“Sexual Assault Awareness Month is not just a standstill time to recognize the survivors or victims from these unfortunate crimes, but it is a start to become a more cautious, caring, open-minded community for others that may need our guidance and helping hand to speak up. This is a monumental moment to open up the hearts and eyes of the students on our campus that are blinded by the injustice doings to their friends, peers, neighbors, classmates, etc. These events are not only held for our survivors, but it is encouraged for everyone to be involved because the importance of sexual assault awareness is vital, not only on our campus but beyond the point of college. It is time to try to put our selves in someone else’s shoes. Know that violators cannot live with the truth: survivors cannot live without it. If we don’t assert their truth, it may again be relegated to fantasy. But the truth won’t go away. It will keep surfacing until it is recognized. So often survivors have had their experiences denied, trivialized, or distorted. It’s only a matter of which generation is willing to face it and, in so doing, protect future generations from this abuse. Let’s be that generation.”

Carrie and Laura are the team leaders for Massey, Hess, Stokely, and Brown.  Sign up to be on their team here.


Sexual Assault Awareness Month is about learning the facts, spreading the word, and ensuring that every Volunteer is safe and connected to resources on campus. We are proud to partner with amazing students, Resident Assistants, and staff within University Housing and across campus who are dedicated to making a difference! To learn more about SAAM and to sign up for the Residence Hall Challenge, click here.