April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), a time when the Clemson community comes together to generate awareness through programs, events and resources. Together We Act, United We Change is this year’s national theme, emphasizing the importance of coming together to prevent sexual assault, harassment and stalking, because sexual violence is widespread and impacts every person in the community.
SAAM at Clemson is a collaborative effort from campus and community resources, including student organizations. Clemson’s Interpersonal Violence Resource Alliance (IVRA) has collectively organized a wide range of events to engage the campus community all month long.
Interpersonal violence prevention coordinator for Healthy Campus and chair of IVRA, Megan Fallon, has helped lead SAAM efforts for the last ten years.
“IVRA’s hope is that these events not only help raise awareness but also give our campus community useful tools to help prevent and address sexual violence. We want to cultivate a community of care and support,” said Fallon.
SAAM events kick off on Friday, April 4 at noon with Yes Fest! This annual festival in the Carillon Gardens has activities centered on healthy relationships and bystander intervention tips. Student groups have sponsored a photobooth and partnered with a local business, City Seed at the Station, to offer plants to pot as part of the effort.
True Liles, graduate assistant for interpersonal violence prevention, has been an integral part of the SAAM planning committee through IVRA and has helped organize Yes Fest!
“Planning SAAM with on and off-campus partners in IVRA has been an amazing experience,” said Liles. “Seeing all the hard work payoff is such a sight to see! Having students attend events like Yes Fest! is always so beautiful because they become more knowledgeable about healthy relationships and resources while having fun. Being able to engage with students about meaningful topics in interactive ways is the best way to draw them in and have a lasting impact. I am honored to be a part of this month, and I’m thankful that Clemson recognizes SAAM.”
A book club, candlelight vigil and Denim Day are some of the other SAAM events happening this month.
Hosted by Interpersonal Violence Response (IVR), the healing book club series returns for SAAM featuring the book My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell. Use IVR’s online form to sign up and learn more about the three part series.
The student organization, It’s On Us, will host a candlelight vigil on April 10 at 6:30 p.m. at the Samuel J. Cadden Chapel. The vigil will include speeches and creative performances in honor of victims and survivors of sexual violence.
A couple of denim-related events will take place on campus leading up to Clemson’s Denim Day on April 22, a day when the entire campus community is encouraged to wear denim to show support for survivors and raise awareness that there is no excuse for sexual assault.
All April SAAM events are listed in the flyer below. See the Sexual Assault Library Resource Guide for more information about each event.
For questions or more information, please reach out to the interpersonal violence prevention graduate assistant, True Liles: trueall@clemson.edu
