Sexual Assault Awareness Month Programming Offered on Campus

Faculty, staff and students are invited to attend ongoing educational programs in the month of April to raise awareness about sexual violence in conjunction with April serving as Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM).

“A core value of our University’s mission is to show profound respect for the dignity of each person,” explained Sean Weaver, the University’s Title IX coordinator and director of the Office of Anti-Discrimination Policy and Compliance. “All faculty, students and staff are encouraged to act on the mission by becoming involved in SAAM education efforts.”

In addition to the annual Red Flag Campaign, the Clothesline Project, the new Red My Lips Campaign and information stations that were held earlier in the month across campus, the Office of Health Service, the Student Health Advisory Council and Office of DU Cares will host a sexual assault awareness lecture on Monday, April 27, at 7 p.m. in Room 613 of the Duquesne Union. Keynote speaker Dan Gittins, coordinator of DU Cares, will present Sexploitation: Media, Blurred Lines, Criminal Acts and What YOU Can Do to STOP the Madness.

The free presentation, open to faculty and staff, will explore how marketers target college-age students with sexual images to sell products. Attendees will be encouraged to think about how this influences their choices and behaviors.

Other month-long activities include:

• Clothing Drive: The Department of Athletics is sponsoring a clothing drive to provide items for victims of sexual assault. Contact Sherene Brantley for clothing drop-off times and locations.
• It’s On Us: Faculty, staff and students are asked to take the pledge to help end sexual assault through this national campaign. Organizations are also encouraged to create videos, such as the one created by athletics department.
• Volunteer: campus community members are invited to volunteer at Pittsburgh Action Against Rape (1.866.END.RAPE), the Center for Victims (412.482.3240) or other community advocacy groups that provide resources to victims of sexual assault.

“Everyone can help prevent sexual assault, and SAAM programs can educate us on the issues and facilitate preventative action as we fulfil our University’s mission,” Weaver added. “One sexual assault is too many, and we need to do all we can to help prevent sexual assault within our Duquesne University family and beyond.”

For more information on the Office of Anti-Discrimination Policy and Compliance, visit the website or contact Weaver.