Sexual Assault Awareness Month
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), which is an annual campaign to raise public awareness about sexual assault and to help educate communities and individuals on how to prevent sexual violence.
Sexual harassment, assault, and abuse can happen anywhere, including in online spaces. At Weber State, we want everyone to feel respected and safe. Below you will find information about WSU Campus & Community Events, training, and resources to help spread awareness, educate, and support survivors.
2023 Upcoming Events
Take Back The Night
Tuesday, April 4 | 6 - 9 p.m. | The Monarch
Come support survivors of sexual and interpersonal violence at Take Back the Night, starting at 6:00pm on Tuesday, April 4th. Since the 1960’s, Take Back the Night has empowered and supported survivors/victims, helped those in pain, and asserted that it is unacceptable for people to live in fear for their safety. Take Back the Night rallies, marches, candlelight vigils, and speak-outs are the means by which we show our solidarity. We invite you to join the movement to end and raise awareness to, sexual and interpersonal violence and demonstrate support for survivors and victims on our campus and in our community.
Start by Believing Day
Wednesday, April 5 | 12:30 - 2:30 p.m. | Tabling in Shepherd Union, Pillar Plaza
Start by Believing Day provides an opportunity for communities across the country, and around the world, to unify with a single voice for those who have been the victims of sexual violence: We hear you, and we are here to help. On this day, we gather to end the silence and change the way we respond to sexual assault. We Start by Believing. Please join us in this global message of support for survivors. We challenge you to post yourself with the “Start By Believing” graphic with the hashtags #startbybelieving #wsuwc #SAAM23 to your social media.
The Bystander Moment: Transforming Rape Culture at its Roots - Film Screening
Tuesday, April 11 | 1:30 - 3 p.m. | Wildcat Theater
In honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, join us for a screening of The Bystander Moment: Transforming Rape Culture at its Roots and a free lunch at the Women's Center! According to the film's description: "The #MeToo movement has shined much-needed light on the pervasiveness of sexual harassment and abuse and created unprecedented demand for gender violence prevention models that actually work. The Bystander Moment tells the story of one of the most prominent and proven of these models - the innovative bystander approach developed by pioneering scholar and activist Jackson Katz and his colleagues at Northeastern University's Center for the Study of Sport in Society in the 1990s" (Kanopy, 2022). This film is also available to watch on Kanopy.com with your Weber State credentials!
Denim Day
Wednesday, April 26
In recognition of an Italian Supreme Court case held in 1998, where the Italian Supreme Court overturned a rape conviction claiming that because the victim was wearing very tight jeans, she must have helped remove them, and by removing the jeans it was not rape but consensual sex. Outraged, women in the Italian Parliament wore jeans in solidarity. This news made it to California and Denim Day has been held annually ever since! Denim is worn by folks on this day to show support for survivors of sexual violence.
Training Opportunities
Safe@Weber Training for Students
Learn how to prevent violence in our campus community! The Safe@Weber online training provides education on preventing all forms of violence, oppression and harassment as well as where to go for resources. This training can be found by searching for Safe@Weber in the eWeber portal. If you’d like a Safe@Weber training on consent, healthy relationships, bystander intervention and more for your student organization, check out Safe@Weber Training & Resources.
Safe@Weber Training for Faculty and Staff
Check out Safe@Weber Training & Resources for training options available for your department or organization, as well as online training for employees.
Community Events & Resources
YCC Family Crisis Center
YCC Family Crisis Center aims to “save and change lives” by working to prevent and alleviate domestic violence, sexual assault, and homelessness by providing safety, services, and resources. The Family Crisis Center offers a wide array of services to assist victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Their agency’s goal is to provide empowerment-based advocacy to survivors as they work their way toward a self-sufficient life free from violence. Please visit their website for a list of events they have planned for Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Safe Harbor Family Crisis Center
Safe Harbor is a nonprofit organization that provides shelter, supportive services, and advocacy to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. They also provide education, awareness, and resources to our community. Please visit their website for a list of events they have planned for Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Utah Domestic Violence Coalition (UDVC)
35th Annual Utah Crime Victims Conference | April 27th & 28th
We invite you to join us at the annual Utah Crime Victims Conference for its 35th year! This conference will be held April 27-28 2023 at the Zermatt Resort in Midway, Utah and streamed on Zoom to those attending virtually.