April brings awareness to sexual assault

Sexual Assault Awareness Month began April 1, and Radford University will continue to support the important cause with several upcoming events.

On April 10, certified sexuality counselor Eric Garrison will lead a conversation about sexual assault and college-aged students. Garrison is an international consultant in a variety of areas relating to sexology, social justice and higher education. The lecture is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Student Recreation and Wellness Center MAC court. Following the event at 9 p.m., the RU After Dark: Carnival Extravaganza will be held in the same venue, featuring an inflatable obstacle course, a mechanical bull and prizes.

On April 13, in the Student Recreation and Wellness Center, and April 16, in the Hurlburt Student Center (the Bonnie), campus representatives will be on hand to promote the "It's On Us Campaign," starting at 11 a.m.  The campaign is designed to recognize that non-consensual sex is sexual assault, identify situations in which sexual assault may occur, intervene in situations where consent has not or cannot be given and to create an environment in which sexual assault is unacceptable and survivors are supported.

A Brown Bag Series will occur every Wednesday at noon through the end of the month in the Bonnie, room 210. Guest speakers include Radford University Police Sgt. Scott Shaffer and Betty Jones, Women's Resource Center sexual assault program coordinator.

The Clothesline Project, a national effort to raise awareness of violence against women, will be displayed in the Bonnie on April 23. Survivors of violence and their friends and families create T-shirts commemorating their experience.

Events conclude April 28 with the Ask Big Questions: You Be the Judge discussion in the Bonnie Auditorium at 6 p.m. The student-led discussion is designed to enrich students' understanding of consent, educate on red-flags of assault and explain resources available.

Sexual Assault Awareness Month at Radford University is a campus-wide effort sponsored by SAVES, Peer Health Educators, the Women's Studies Club and the Consent Campaign, Phi Sigma Pi, Lambda Alpha Epsilon and SCI.