By Kelly Waldron, Opinions Editor
This April marks the 25th anniversary of Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), and students are taking awareness, education, and prevention into their own hands with this year’s Teal Out Day and Take Back the Night.
The Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) Center has been active throughout the month of April by engaging students and spreading awareness. The VIP Center has hosted tabling events, self-defense classes, survivor speak-outs and important talks to help support survivors and educate those interested in being a part of this important month.
But SAAM can’t be conquered alone. The VIP Center has also collaborated with Bucknell for a red flags in Twilight movie night, and it has celebrated Pride with a variety of other organizations on Kurtz Lane. However, a new event found its way into April this year with the help of It’s On Us: the SU Chapter.
It’s On Us is Susquehanna’s chapter of the national campaign dedicated to ending sexual assault on college campuses. The club may be small, but they are a mighty group dedicated to keeping this campaign alive through fun crafts, movie nights, and tabling events that often involve more crafting.
Given their shared motivation, It’s On Us and the VIP Center have worked closely for years, but on April 22 their connection brought SU’s first ever Teal Out Day to life. Pioneered by It’s On Us President, Cyanea Sloan, Teal Out Day was an event intended to get everyone on campus wearing teal to show support for survivors of sexual assault.
“This April marks the 25th anniversary of Sexual Assault Awareness month… and this year’s theme is about looking back, and moving forward,” said Sloan. Teal Out Day intended to do just that, reminding students and staff the significance of this month while pushing them into a positive light of moving forward in the fight to end sexual assault.
The VIP Center tabled alongside It’s On Us that Wednesday, to “chalk the walk.” Students came to Kurtz Lane to write positive messages for survivors and to pick up some teal items to show their support. Even Benny the Riverhawk stopped by in his very own It’s On Us t-shirt.
But Benny wasn’t the only helping hand during Teal Out Day, It’s On Us also partnered with women’s field hockey, men’s and women’s swim team, women’s volleyball, ultimate frisbee and the cheer team to help spread teal out into Susquehanna athletics.
Teal Out Day was a success, but as the sun set, it was time for one of the VIP Center’s most anticipated collaborations; Take Back the Night.
Take Back the Night is a national event that takes shape in different forms both on and off our campus. It is a night meant to provide survivors of sexual assault a safe space and allow people a place to feel safe and seen.
The first Take Back the Night event on our campus happened in 1992. Since then, there have been protests, candle vigils and other events, but this year the VIP Center, It’s On Us, Phi Mu Delta, the Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA), Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) and WQSU all came together for a relaxing night of s’mores, lawn games, music and good conversation.
But throughout the night, it was important not to lose sight of why everyone gathered to be there. Lemon Akhtar, GSA President and VIP Center worker, reminded everyone that, “we are alive and we are here now… the night has always been there, it has always been ours… it’s scary and it’s unknown and it’s all yours.”
After Sloan and Akhtar’s speeches, the crowds grew even more, and the rest of the night was full of people talking, enjoying good food and even a few furry friends.
The message to all was clear. “You are not alone, and you never have been,” said Akhtar.
Both events were a success, and campus was covered in teal to show its support. But as April comes to an end, it is important to remember that education and awareness don’t end when the month does. Continue to show your support for survivors and spread awareness beyond the bounds of one month.
Before everyone heads home for summer break, make sure to mark your calendar for Denim Day on April 29. The VIP Center will be hosting a tabling event, but even if you go home early, make sure to wear denim to show your support.