April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Every 107 seconds, someone in America is sexually assaulted.
Approximately 4/5 of rapes are committed by someone known to the victim.
Survivors of sexual assault are 3 times more likely to suffer from depression.
These are just a few statistics to highlight why this month of awareness is so very important for our campus and our greater community. We have several events this April that will honor the voices and experiences of survivors of sexual assault. Additionally, there are events that will seek to raise awareness about sexual assault and the importance of effective consent.
The event calendar is attached to this post. Please feel free to download, mark your calendar with the events you plan on attending, and share the word with other students, staff, and faculty.
Highlighted Events:
Supporting Survivors of Sexual Assault Workshop
Tuesday, April 3rd, 10-11:30am for UMBC faculty and staff
Thursday, April 26th, 4-5:30pm for UMBC students
Both workshops are in the Women's Center. Please register if you plan on attending.
Thursday, April 12th on Commons Main Street.
The survivor speak-out will begin at 6:30pm and will be followed by campus march. We encourage people to arrive beginning between 6-6:20pm to find a seat and check out the resource fair before the survivor speak-out begins. Bring your rally signs (which you can make in the Women's Center during the week of April 9th).
Follow #UMBCtbtn on social media for updates and join the Facebook event. You can learn more about UMBC's TBTN by following our blog for the "What You Need to Know about Take Back the Night" series.
Tuesday, April 17th on Erickson Lawn from 12-6pm
Quilt Making Workshop in the Women's Center from 5-6:30pm
The Monument Quilt is a crowd-sourced collection of thousands of stories from survivors of rape and abuse. By stitching our stories together, we are creating and demanding public space to heal. Supplies will be provided. All are welcome.
We need MANY volunteers to help set-up and take-down the Monument Quilt. You can sign up to volunteer here.
Throughout all of April, opportunities to make shirts for UMBC's Clothesline Project will be made available in the Women's Center. Community members wishing to make a shirt can let someone at the front desk know they are interested in making a shirt and a staff member will be able to assist you.
A small display of the Clothesline Project will be at Take Back the Night on April 12th.
Other Events Throughout the Month Include:
- Hunting Ground Viewing + Discussion on Monday, April 2nd at 7pm in the Women's Center
- Green Dot Express (for Faculty and Staff) on Thursday, April 5th at 1:30pm in Commons 318
- SAAM Dance Recital and Talk Back on Friday, April 13th at 6pm in Fine Arts 118
- We Believe You Bake Sale on Monday, April 16th from 11am-2pm on Commons Main Street
- SGA Coffee and Conversation: Beyond TBTN on Monday, April 16th from 6-9pm in The Commons Student Org Space
- TBTN and Monument Quilt Reflection on Wednesday, April 18th at 12pm in the Women's Center
- Trauma Informed Yoga For Survivors of Sexual Violence on Wednesday, April 18th from 6-7pm in UC 310
- Knowledge Exchange: Mediating Media Intake on Tuesday, April 24th from 4-5:30pm in the Women's Center
- Living in Silence on Tuesday, April 24th at 5:30pm in The Commons Skylight Room
- Healthy Sexuality Workshop on Monday, April 30th at 4pm in the Women's Center
Ongoing Events and Resources for Survivors and Allies:
- We Believe You General Body Meetings every Tuesdays at 7pm in the Fireside Lounge (this location and time may change). We Believe You is a student organization for activists against sexual assault. Come join them aid the movement against sexual assault; as well as support the survivor community.
- We Believe You Discussion Group every Wednesday from 5:30-6:30 pm in the Women’s Center. This discussion group is for survivors of sexual assault or those wanting to learn more about supporting survivors.
- The Between Women and Women of Color Coalition's meetings on 4/9 and 4/10 will focus on healthy sexuality and sexual violence in the LGBTQ and WOC communities respectively.
If you have questions about any of the listed events or about sexual assault resources, please contact the Women's Center at womenscenter@umbc.edu or 410-455-2714.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for SAAM updates and information throughout the month of April!
If you'd like to financial support the work the Women's Center does to support survivors of sexual violence and create awareness about sexual assault, you can donate to our Grit Starter campaign.
