April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness of the peril of sexual violence. This year’s theme is engaging new voices to change the culture. Here at IU East, we are holding SAAM events all through the month, including the Clothesline Project, where you can decorate a t-shirt in support of survivors, a Take Back the Night rally, a poetry slam, emergency training, and lots more, sponsored by IU East’s Title IX Office. A complete calendar is at the end of this blog.
Indiana University does not believe that sexual violence is ever, in any way, the victim’s fault, and does not condone the attitude that it is a woman’s responsibility to avoid doing, wearing, or saying things or going places to avoid becoming a victim. However, in an imperfect world, there are tools that can help you proactively should you find yourself in a dangerous situation. And as technology improves, tools to protect you become more sophisticated. There are now a number of safety apps you can put on your phone, and IU recommends several of these:
Safety Siren – made by the YWCA, it plays a loud siren at the touch of a button, simultaneously sending an emergency email to a contact of your choice
Circle of 6 – you identify a group of up to six friends, and your location and needs can be sent to each other at any time, allowing everyone in the circle to look out for each other
bSafe – also includes alarms and instantly messaging allies, as well as a ‘fake call’ function to help you bluff your way out of an awkward situation
Kitestring – unlike the others listed here, it offers passive security – it checks on you like home security system and alerts emergency contacts if you don’t periodically respond to it
And for those who want to research sexual violence – causes, pervasiveness, needs of survivors, avenues of support – there is a wealth of good information available to you in the library. Several of our databases, like GenderWatch or PsycInfo, include lots of scholarly materials and articles. And we offer multimedia, too, such as Counseling and Therapy in Video – a database which offers video of how to conduct helpful therapy work with survivors, from diagnosis to counseling. And we have plenty of books, as well, including titles like Empowering Women in Higher Education and Student Affairs by Linda Sax, Sexual Violence on Campus: Policies, Programs, and Perspectives by Kathy Hotelling, Perspectives on College Sexual Assault: Perpetrator, Victim, and Bystander by Roland Maiuro, and Campus Sexual Assault: College Women Respond by Lauren Germain.
Need help finding what you need? Ask us at iueref@iue.edu!
SAAM Events this year include:
The Clothesline Project
Monday-Thursday April 3rd through 6th from 11:00-1:00 in each building lobby
The Clothesline Project is a visual display of shirts with graphic messages and illustrations that have been designed by women survivors of violence or by someone who loves a woman who has been violated. Let your voice be heard by participating in the Project. You can decorate your t-shirt on one of the following days:
Monday, April 3, 2017 – 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Tom Raper Hall Lobby
Tuesday, April 4, 2017 – 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Hayes Hall Lobby
Wednesday, April 5, 2017 – 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Whitewater Hall Lobby
Thursday, April 6, 2017 – 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Springwood Hall Lobby
The project will be displayed throughout the entire month of April in the Tom Raper Hall Lobby. For more information, please visit clotheslineproject.org.
Hot Wings and Hot Topics
Thursday April 6th from 2:00-3:00 in the Graf Center
View movie clips and participate in some informal discussion while enjoying FREE hot wings! Topics will be centered around sexual assault as well as cyberbullying, Hypermasculinity and how men can perpetuate a change.
Take Back the Night Rally
Friday April 7th starting at 6:30 pm at Earlham College
Take Back the Night history spans over a half a century and focuses on eliminating sexual and domestic violence in all forms. Participants from countries around the world gather together to march for and discuss women’s safety when walking down public streets.
IU East and Earlham College students will march from the Heart of the Earlham College campus to the Richmond City Building. At the City Building, Mayor Dave Snow will deliver a Proclamation declaring April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in the City of Richmond. Following the reading of the Proclamation, students will march back to the Earlham soccer field, where a student vigil will be held. At this student vigil, students are encouraged to share why Take Back the Night is important to them. Those interested in presenting at the Vigil should contact Sonia Norton at scnorton14@earlham.edu. Faculty and Staff will not be present during the Vigil to allow for open discussion between students. Contact information for Mental Health Professionals will be made available.
Participants will meet on the steps of Earlham Hall (next to the Heart) and march to the City Building, then return to the Earlham soccer field for the vigil.
Scavenger Hunt
Monday-Thursday April 10th through 20th
There will be an on-campus scavenger hunt for on-campus students and an online scavenger hunt for Distance Education students.
On-Campus Scavenger Hunt – Monday, April 10-Friday, April 13
Do you know your campus Deputy Title IX Coordinator? When making a report of sexual misconduct, do you know the difference between a Responsible Employee and a Confidential Employee? Learn more about Title IX by participating in this fun Scavenger Hunt! Begin the hunt by downloading the checklist at iue.edu/titleix.
A Grand Prize will be awarded to the FIRST THREE participants who complete the Hunt in its entirety. Each participant will receive a giveaway.
Online Scavenger Hunt – Monday, April 10-Thursday, April 20 (for Distance Education students only)
The Title IX office is here to support our Distance Education students too! The Online Scavenger Hunt will provide our Distance Education students more information about Title IX and how to make a report and receive resources in regards to sexual misconduct. Enroll in the hunt by providing your e-mail to May Moore at mfmoore@iue.edu.
A Grand Prize will be awarded to the FIRST THREE participants who complete the Hunt it its entirety. Each participant will receive a giveaway.
QPR Gatekeeper Training
Monday April 10th from 12:30-1:45 in Hayes 275
Question Persuade Refer: Become a gatekeeper and learn three simple steps that anyone can use to help save a life from suicide. Participation in this training with help researchers understand more about individuals’ attitudes and beliefs about suicide intervention. To register, email Rosalie Aldrich at rsaldric@iue.edu. Lunch will be provided. This training is for students only.
RAD Informational Session
Tuesday April 11th from 1:00-2:00 in the Student Events Center
Rape Aggression Defense Systems (R.A.D.) teaches women easy and effective self-defense tactics, while also highlighting techniques of awareness, prevention, risk-reduction and avoidance. Dr. Michelle Malott, Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, is a certified R.A.D. Instructor and will lead this informational session. Dr. Malott will discuss the various R.A.D. techniques, as well as provide some demonstrations of some common self-defense tactics. This session is open to the entire IU East community.
Human Sex Trafficking Presentation
Wednesday April 12th from 2:00-3:00 in Tom Raper 124
Tracy McDaniel, founder and CEO of Restored, formulates statewide strategies to address human trafficking through victim services, law enforcement coordination, advocacy and awareness. She partners with the Indiana state government, local, state and federal law enforcement, non-profit leaders and community members to provide victim and outreach services. She develops trainings for youth, professionals and provides public awareness. Tracy McDaniel has a Masters in Social Work with a focus on Anti-demand of Human Trafficking and Trauma Counseling. Ms. McDaniel is a core member of IPATH Task Force and Co-Chairs the Victim Service Committee with the Indianapolis FBI Victim Specialist.
Attendees of the presentation can benefit by learning how to recognize a victim of human or sex trafficking, understand what services are the most beneficial, what is available in your county and the State of Indiana and how your colleagues are tackling this difficult industry. Indiana is making strides in addressing this issue statewide. The current status of legislation will be discussed, together with the system response.
Bystander Intervention Training
Wednesday April 19th at 10:00 in Tom Raper 124 (there is also a session for faculty and staff at 2:00 in Springwood Hall, Campus Life Conference Room)
Learn when to Step-Up! Bystander Intervention is a strategy for the prevention of various types of violence, including bullying, sexual harassment, sexual assault and intimate partner violence.
Poetry Slam
Thursday April 20th from 7:00-10:00 pm in Roscoe’s Coffee Bar (185 Fort Wayne Avenue)
Use the power of spoken word to break the silence and help break down the culture surrounding sexual assault. Students are invited to share a poem, reading or song that highlights the unjust aspects of sexual assault. This event serves as a healing event for survivors, as well as a way for our community to show support for victims. Students are encouraged to sign-up in advance by e-mailing Tracy Amyx at trramyx@iue.edu. Mental Health Professionals on site. This event is open to the community.
Denim Day
Wednesday April 26th
Denim Day is an international protest responding to the Italian Supreme Court’s overruling of a rape conviction in 1999. Although the assailant had been found guilty at trial, the Supreme Court argued that because jeans are difficult to remove, the assailant couldn’t have done so without the victim’s help. To honor Denim Day, we will encourage community members to wear jeans to work or school to promote discussion of the misconceptions that surround sexual violence. Participants can share pictures online and use the hashtag #DenimDay. For more information, visit www.denimdayinfo.org. Don’t forget to tag @IUEastTitleIX in your photos!