Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) - April 2012
History of SAAM
Sexual assault is a term that is used to encompass the multitude of ways in which a person can be violated in a sexual nature against her/his will. It is defined as any sexual act directed against another person, that is forcible and/or against that person’s will; or, where that person is incapable of giving consent. Sexual assault is a crime in all of the U.S. states and territories.
Sexual Assault Awareness Month serves to bring awareness around these issues. Following the initial observance of October for Domestic Violence Awareness Month, advocates of sexual assault survivors sought to create a similar awareness event more specific to sexual violence. What started out as an awareness week in April, grew into a month-long consciousness-raising event as advocates began to coordinate events throughout the month of April.
In April of 2001, the U.S. began to nationally observe the month of April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Throughout the month, organizations across the country host events and programs that aim to educate the public and reach out to survivors. Teal ribbons are worn by many to raise awareness in support of the cause.
Get Involved
Raising awareness about sexual assault at UNH is not just a women's issue. It is a community issue. We hope that this month (and going forward) you will join the movement to end violence at UNH, particularly sexual violence against women!
Here are some ways to get involved:
- Men! Join the White Ribbon Campaign! Calling All Men, take the pledge to end violence against women and girls
- Wear at Sexual Assault Awareness Month Ribbon throughout the month of April. Ribbons are available at the SHARPP office and at the White Ribbon Campaign informational tables
- Attend SHARPP events! We have many GREAT events planned during the month of April (see full list below)
- Talk! Have discussions with your friends, classmates, professors, colleagues and family members about how sexual violence effects our communities
- Write a letter to the editor of The New Hampshire, or other local newspaper about the importance of raising awareness of sexual violence on college campuses, particularly UNH
- Take care of yourself. If you are a survivor of a sexual assault, there are many great resources at UNH to assist you. Start by contacting SHARPP
- Concerned about a friend? Use this month as a way to learn more about how you can support a friend who has been sexually assaulted and/or is in an abuse relationship
- Get social with SHARPP! If you haven't already, "Like" the SHARPP Facebook page. Throughout the month of April we will be posting facts about sexual violence, our events and other great information
- Change your Facebook profile picture to a clock, representing the Sexual Assault Awareness month theme for 2012.
Events at UNH
Check out SHARPP's April events below.
Clothesline Project T-Shirt Making
Thursday, April 5, 2012, 12:00 - 2:00p.m.MUB 336
Tuesday, April 10, 2012, 6:00 - 8:00p.m.
MUB 332
"It is the very process of designing a shirt that gives each survivor a new voice with which to expose an often horrific and unspeakable experience that has dramatically altered the course of their life. Participating in this project provides a powerful step towards helping a survivor break through the shroud of silence that has surrounded their experience." Please join SHARPP during one of these two dates to make a t-shirt. Survivors and allies are welcomed. All materials are provided.
WOW! What's on Wednesday With SHARPP
Wednesday, April 11, 201210:30a.m. - 2:30p.m.
MUB Foodcourt
SHARPP Sponsors a What’s on Wednesday. Get Sexy with Consent in a photobooth! Stop by and get your picture taken and you can also make banners and posters for the Rally & Walk! And it's all FREE!
Taking a Community Stance! Stepping Out to Speak Out Against Violence Rally
Thursday, April 12, 2012
12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Great Lawn (in front of DeMeritt)
12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Great Lawn (in front of DeMeritt)
In honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, SHARPP cordially invites the University of New Hampshire Community to the 2nd Annual Taking a Community Stance: Stepping Out to Speak Out Against Violence. This localized social movement aims at gathering students, faculty, staff and Durham community members together to take a collective and powerful stance against all forms of violence on our campus. This event will include informational tables, a 20 minute walk around campus, reading of UNH’s Community Proclamation Against Violence and a student call to action to end violence against women at UNH. This event is open to the UNH and Durham community.
Violence against victims/survivors results from the use of force or threat to achieve and maintain control over others in relationships, and from societal abuse of power and domination in the forms of sexism, racism, heterosexism, classism, able-bodyism, ageism and other oppressions.
Community Sponsors!
This event is sponsored by the Sexual Harassment and Rape Prevention Program (SHARPP) with support from the following many organizations and department at UNH and in the local community. If you would like to be a co-sponsor, please contact Maggie Wells (maggie.wells@unh.edu)
This event is sponsored by the Sexual Harassment and Rape Prevention Program (SHARPP) with support from the following many organizations and department at UNH and in the local community. If you would like to be a co-sponsor, please contact Maggie Wells (maggie.wells@unh.edu)
The Vagina Monologues
Friday, April 27, 2012 and Saturday, April 28, 2012
8:00pm
MUB Granite State Room
8:00pm
MUB Granite State Room
Hailed by The New York Times as "funny" and "poignant" and by the Daily News as "intelligent" and "courageous," The Vagina Monologues, which was first performed off-Broadway by Ms. Ensler, dives into the mystery, humor, pain, power, wisdom, outrage and excitement buried in women’s experiences. Ms. Ensler has performed the play to great acclaim throughout the world - from Zagreb to Santa Barbara, from London to Seattle, from Jerusalem to Oklahoma City. This April the Vagina Monologues will be performed by students at University of New Hampshire!
The Vagina Monologues will be performed at MUB Granite State Room, April 27th and 28th at 8:00 p..m. Tickets prices are $8 for students and $10 for non-students. Tickets may be purchased at the MUB.
