A sexual assault takes place every two seconds in the United States. Sixty percent of assaults are never reported to the police, and only 3percent of rapists will ever spend a day in jail. In spite of these staggering numbers, courtesy of the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, few people are willing to stand up for survivors. But this April, members of the Elizabethtown College community are doing their part to break the silence while they honor Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM).
SAAM traces its roots back to the first Take Back the Night marches in England in the 1970s. After the event spread to the United States is 1978, more coordinated efforts began to take place. In the 1980s part of October was set aside to recognize violence against women. Eventually, this time focused more on domestic violence, so part of April was selected to focus on sexual assault awareness. The first SAAM was formally recognized in 2001. Since then, the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) has diligently worked to promote the month and educate people about the realities of sexual violence.
SAAM (which is now being referred to as Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month by some) kicks off April 1 with the Clothesline Project . Started in 1990 in Cape Cod, Mass., the Clothesline Project began to address the issue of violence against women. Traditionally, women pick a shirt in a color coordinating to the abuse they want to address (blue and green stand for survivors of incest and sexual abuse, purple and lavender for women attacked for their sexual orientation, etc.). Some have experienced this abuse firsthand; others have witnesses its effects in friends and family members. The shirts are decorated and hung on a clothesline as a visual testimony to the problem of violence against women.
Elizabethtown Student Wellness is putting its own spin on the event. In order to recognize that all people can experience gendered violence, campus community members of all sexes and genders are invited to participate. Shirts, donated by a local organization, will be hung in the BSC to start the event. Elizabethtown students who wish to contribute their stories can pick up supplies in The WELL and drop off their shirts in Counseling Services or The WELL, and their shirt will be added to the collection.
Why is it they feel same is so important? First, for bystander education. “Sexual assault is a big problem, but it can be stopped by little changes,” said Amanda Cheetham, a health educator for Student Wellness and Health Promotion. SAAM provides a gateway to educate people about what they can do to prevent sexual assault from occurring.
Sexual assault is a big problem, but it can be stopped by little changes.”
Second, stereotypes can be combated and people can learn the realities of the issues. Cheetham noted one of the most important things she feels students need to know about sexual assault is that it doesn’t just affect women, and too many people do not realize that, in most cases of sexual assault, the perpetrator is an acquaintance of the survivor, not some mysterious stranger. Dr. Rita Shah, assistant professor of sociology, noted that most people do not realize the true prevalence of sexual assault. “Chances are that, in their lifetime, they will either be a victim or will know someone who is a victim,” said Shah. “And if they say they don’t know anyone, it’s because that person(s) is keeping it hidden.”
Third, it is a time to reinforce that there are resources available for survivors. If you are a member of the campus community you want to learn more about the realities of sexual assault, or to become an advocate, come out to one of the following events:
April 1-13
The Clothesline Project, sponsored by Student Wellness.
April 1 – 8 p.m., KAV
“That’s Totally RAD” – Rape Aggression Defense information session with Dale Boyer, sponsored by Student Wellness.
April 2 – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., BSC
SAAM Event, including YWCA Lancaster, Elizabethtown Counseling Services & SWAG, sponsored by Student Wellness.
April 2 – 6 to 8 p.m., Hoover 110
How to Be an Active Bystander – violence prevention workshop – in conjunction with Campus Security, sponsored by Student Wellness.
April 22 – 8 p.m., Gibble Auditorium
“Sin by Silence” film screening – This film reveals the lives of women who are behind bars for killing their abusive partners. Discussion with Dr. Rita Shah to follow. Free and open to the public. Cosponsored by Student Wellness, SAGE & The High Library.
If you or someone you know is a sexual assault survivor, please remember you are not alone. If you are an Elizabethtown College student, there are people available to provide you support and who are willing to listen to you. Campus Security is on call 24/7 at 717-361-1111 (for emergencies) or 717-361-1263 (for non-emergencies). Additionally, Counseling Services and campus chaplains are willing and able to provide you with support. More comprehensive resources can be found in The WELL, in Counseling Services, or online.