The annual Sexual Assault Awareness Month campaign during April will focus on promoting healthy sexuality as a way to prevent sexual violence. The 2012 national SAAM theme is "It's time . . . to talk about it!"
The Margaret Sloss Women's Center is partnering with several departments and ACCESS (Assault Care Center Extending Shelter and Support) in Ames to lead the public education effort about sexual assault.
According to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network:
- Every two minutes someone is sexually assaulted in the United States
- One in six women and one in 33 men will be sexually assaulted
- College-age women are four times more likely to be sexually assaulted
- 54 percent of sexual assaults are not reported to the police
Following are events during the Story County observance of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. All events are free and open to the public.
Thursday, April 5
- 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Sloss House lawn, volunteers will distribute teal ribbons and information about consent and bystander intervention.
Wednesday, April 11
- 10 a.m.-2 p.m., near the Free Speech Zone, Iowa State police officers will distribute "Get a Yes" magnets and 29-Alert magnets (promoting the 24-hour crisis line and 24-hour advocacy line for sexual assault, relationship violence and stalking survivors). Learn about the university's sexual misconduct policy and the definition and importance of affirmative consent.
- 6 p.m., Memorial Union west terrace, Take Back the Night rally and march. This international tradition dates to the 1970s.
- 7:30 p.m., Sloss House, Post-march gathering for community building and discussion.
Friday, April 13
- 3-5 p.m., Sloss House, Film and discussion, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
Monday, April 16
- 8 p.m., MU Great Hall, Lecture, "Beyond Consent: How Reclaiming Sexuality Combats Sexual Violence," Jaclyn Friedman,writer, performer and activist. Her latest book, What You Really Want: The Smart Girl's Shame-Free Guide to Sex and Safety, was published in November.
Tuesday, April 17
- 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Sloss House lawn, Clothesline Project, a display of T-shirts designed by survivors of violence and family members or friends of survivors. Participants may create a shirt in the Sloss House.
- 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Sloss House lawn, "These Hands Don’t Hurt." Participants are invited to imprint their hand on a large canvas as a show of their pledge to not commit acts of violence against others.
Friday, April 20
- 3-5 p.m., Sloss House, Film and discussion, Rosita, a 2005 documentary about a 9-year-old Nicaraguan girl who becomes pregnant as the result of a rape and the ensuing battle over whose life takes precedence
