Awareness Campaign Attacks Sexual Assault

04/07/2015

It’s on us, all of us – students, faculty and staff – to prevent sexual assault.

Throughout the month of April, members of the SUNY Cortland community will have numerous opportunities to learn about the issue and show their dedication to keeping all students safe from unwanted sexual contact.

The events start with tonight’s Take Back the Night March and end right before Spring Fling with the release of a student-produced video about how SUNY Cortland students can spot and stop sexual assault. All month long, students will be urged to educate themselves about the meaning of consent and sign the “It’s On Us” pledge to take action against sexual abuse.

“It’s On Us” is a national awareness program aimed at ending sexual assaults on college campuses. The campaign, launched by the White House last fall, asks men and women across the United States to make a personal commitment to step off the sidelines and be part of the solution to campus sexual assault.

Nationally, studies indicate that at least 1 in 5 women and one in 12 men experience unwanted sexual contact during their time in college. At SUNY Cortland, that would amount to hundreds of students every year.

“The numbers are unacceptable. It is critically important that all members of the campus community understand what constitutes affirmative consent,” said Nan Pasquarello, the College’s Interim Title IX coordinator. “We must all learn to identify potentially dangerous situations and intervene when we see something that doesn’t look right.”

Title IX, a law intended to fight sex discrimination, considers sexual assault an extreme form of discrimination. The coordinator has primary responsibility for coordinating the College’s efforts to comply with and carry out its responsibilities under Title IX, which prohibits sex discrimination in all the operations of this College. Reportable behaviors include sexual assault, stalking, relationship violence and sexual harassment.

As part of that effort, stickers providing resource information about sexual assault, relationship violence, stalking and sexual harassment will begin to appear this month on the inside of bathroom stall doors in campus buildings. Based on similar programs at other colleges, the stickers will be gradually installed by campus work crews until they appear in every men’s and women’s restroom stall on campus.

Awareness events scheduled for April include:

Take Back the Night March

Part of a national awareness campaign against sexual violence.

Corey Union Corey Union Steps
Tuesday, April 7, 8-9 p.m.

Sponsored by SAFER (Students Active for Ending Rape)

Wellness Wednesday Series "It's On Us: Let's Talk About It"

Panel discussion about sex assault prevention, communication and affirmative consent

Corey Union Room 220 - Exhibition Lounge
Wednesday, April 8, 7-8:30 p.m.

Sponsored by the Health Promotion Office and the Sexual Assault Awareness and Programming Committee (SAAPC)

Sexual Assault Awareness Talk "SCRIPT" by Tim Collins

An award-winning, one-man play that explores male attitudes toward women and rape.

Sperry Center Room 205
Thursday, April 9, 7-9 p.m.