April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Randa Abboud, 1st year MS-RSM Graduate Student, April 1, 2022

What is defined as sexual assault? Sexual assault is a spectrum of sexual relations or behavior that occur without explicitly stated consent from the victim. It is important to emphasize sexual assault ranges from nonconsensual sexual activity, psychological tactics (coercion or manipulation), sexual harassment (both physical and verbal), informed consent, and any nonconsensual attempts.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), although every month we should as individuals and as a community stay involved and make safe spaces for those impacted by sexual assault. This month is a time to focus our energies on understanding the impact of sexual assault and improving awareness. Northwestern’s Center for Awareness, Response, and Education (CARE) is sponsoring events for SAAM themed, “Archiving Our Narratives, Proliferating Our Stories” where “This theme seeks to uplift the intersectional identities and stories of resistance, joy, & triumph of impacted folks.”

April 5 @12-2PM CST in the Deering Library (Room 208) - SAAM Community Resource Fair & Day of Action
April 5 @7-9PM CST in Annenberg (Room G15) - Survivors On Screen: Empowerment And Intersectionality In Tv And Film
April 13 @7-8:30PM in Kresge Hall (Room 3410) - Archiving Our Stories: Tech, Survivorship and Social Justice
April 19 @@7-8:30PM in Fisk Hall (Room 217) - Let's Talk About Down There" an evening with Dr. Jennifer Lincoln
April 22-23 at the Lakefill (Evanston) - National Clothesline Project
April 25 @7-8PM (Zoom) - Know My Name: A Moderated Conversation with Chanel Miller

Northwestern’s Center for Awareness, Response, and Education (CARE)

The mission of CARE is to create a culture of healthy sexuality at Northwestern University where sexual violence, relationship violence, and stalking are not tolerated. CARE is a confidential space for students impacted by sexual violence, relationship violence or stalking, including friends or partners of survivors. Get support, find community, and get involved with CARE’s resources and programming.

To get help, support, or file a report on sexual misconduct, here are resources through the Office of Equity for your health and safety

Get Help - https://www.northwestern.edu/sexual-misconduct/get-help/index.html
Find Confidential Support - https://www.northwestern.edu/sexual-misconduct/get-help/confidential-support.html
Help a Friend - https://www.northwestern.edu/sexual-misconduct/get-help/help-someone-else.html
File a Report -https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?NorthwesternUniv&layout_id=31

Northwestern’s Title IX Office:

Colleen Johnston, Senior Director, Sexual Misconduct Response and Resources and Title IX Coordinator

Email: colleen.johnston@northwestern.edu

National Organizations:

National Sexual Violence Resource Center - https://www.nsvrc.org

Me Too - https://metoomvmt.org/take-action/action-toolkits/

Chicago Organizations:

Resilience - https://www.ourresilience.org/get-involved/saam/

Take Back the Nigh Foundation - https://takebackthenight.org/global-virtual-April-2022/