WASHINGTON (April 9, 2019) – April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Howard University will host a series of events to promote sexual assault prevention on campus. On Wednesday, April 10, students, faculty and staff will be invited to take the pledge to stand against interpersonal violence. This pledge is part of the University’s HU Stands campaign, which was launched in the Fall of 2018, and aims to engage all campus stakeholders in combatting sexual assault and other forms of interpersonal violence.
An average of one in four female undergraduate students experience sexual assault by the time they finish college, according to a nationwide survey conducted by the Office on Violence Against Women and the Bureau of Justice Statistics.
Howard University has resources in place for members of our community. Key resources include:
The Interpersonal Violence Prevention Program. IVPP is a confidential resource that provides advocacy services to students who have been victims of sexual violence and dating and domestic violence, assists students in obtaining support services such as medical and counseling support, and educates the community on healthy relationships in order to prevent occurrences of sexual violence.
The Title IX Office. The Title IX Office is responsible for ensuring that there is an effective complaint process in place for responding to and remedying complaints of sexual assault, sexual harassment, gender-based discrimination or harassment, dating and domestic violence, stalking and retaliation, and educating our community on rights and responsibilities under the Title IX Policy. Howard University’s Interim Title IX Policy on Prohibited Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment and Violence and Other Forms of Interpersonal Violence was first introduced to the campus community in 2017.
The planned events provided through the Interpersonal Violence Prevention Program and the Title IX Office will include:
April 8-11
Red Flag Campaign
The Red Flag Campaign uses a bystander intervention strategy to address and prevent interpersonal violence on college campuses. The IVPP office will place mini red flags throughout the campus to encourage students, staff, faculty, and other campus community members to say something when they see warning signs ("red flags") for sexual assault, dating violence, or stalking in someone’s relationship.
Wednesday, April 10
HU Stands/ White Ribbon Campaign, 11 a.m. -2 p.m. at the Flagpole
The IVPP office will canvass the campus encouraging everyone to take the pledge to stand against sexual assault by signing up for the HU Stands campaign. Participants will receive a HU Stands t-shirt and a white ribbon to symbolize that they will not commit, condone, or remain silent about violence against women or girls.
Tuesday, April 16
Stay Educated about Title IX, 10:30 am – 2 pm
The Title IX Office will be available to take your questions and engage in informal conversation about the work of the office and the University’s Title IX Policy. This event is open to all students, faculty and staff. The Title IX Office is located in the Administration Building in Suite G06.
Wednesday, April 17
Take Back the Night, 7 – 8 p.m. at Flagpole
The IVPP office will hold a flagpole candlelight to symbolize that women have the right to be alone in public at night.
Tuesday April 23
Stay Educated about Title IX, 10:30 am – 2 pm
The Title IX Office will be available to take your questions and engage in informal conversation about the work of the office and the University’s Title IX Policy. This event is open to all students, faculty, and staff. The Title IX Office is located in the Administration Building in Suite G06.
Thursday, April 25
Denim Day
Everyone is encouraged to wear denim on this day to symbolize, “It does not matter what you wear. Sexual Assault is not the fault of the victim. Ever.”
Tuesday, April 30
Clothesline Project and Affirmation Jars, 6 – 8:30 p.m. in the College Hall South Multipurpose Room
This event encourages students, staff, and faculty to design a shirt to show support for survivors of sexual assault. The IVPP office will also provide affirmation jars to any participants that designs a t-shirt.
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