The KSC Sexual Violence Prevention Coordination Team held an awareness walk and candle light vigil that looped around campus and concluded at Oya Hill to raise awareness about sexual violence on Friday, April 25.
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, which is a time when people are encouraged to stand in solidarity with survivors of sexual violence, spread awareness, and educate themselves about the topic.
October was Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which included a “Take Back the Night” event, featuring speeches and a purple human ribbon and therapy pets. According to Sexual Violence Prevention Specialist and Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) Grant Program Director Catt Workman, community feedback from October’s event encouraged Workman to pursue an awareness walk during Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
“The feedback from that night was that a lot of students missed having a walk or run or march of some sort on campus, so I took note of that and decided that for Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April, we would do a walk,” said Workman.
“It’s really about showing solidarity to survivors, which is what Sexual Assault Awareness Month is all about,” added Workman.
Workman said she hopes to make these sorts of events a yearly tradition.
“I’m hoping to make these kinds of events a cornerstone so that everyone can look forward to it and mark their calendars. I’d like to pick a date in April to make this an annual thing,” said Workman.
Workman highlighted the importance of raising awareness surrounding sexual violence, consent and setting boundaries.
“One of my goals on campus is to shift some of the social norms that are instilled in us from a very young age from society in general. We want to talk about cornerstones of respecting one another, and a lot of what we talk about in our workshops is how to ask for consent and what consent looks like. That’s relevant in all aspects of our life, just like with healthy relationships,” said Workman.
“We also focus on advocating for being a trauma-informed community, and how to support a friend. I really like that approach because the tools that we give you and suggest for how to support a friend can be the same tools you may use if you were ever the ‘friend’ in that situation yourself,” added Workman.
Senior and OVW Grant Assistant Fiona Acton participated in the walk and said she was encouraged to see fellow students marching in support of survivors.
“It’s so great to see students showing support for this matter. It’s an uncomfortable subject to talk about, but we have to be willing to get uncomfortable to be able to confront issues like this,” said Acton.
“It’s so great that we’re showing solidarity towards sexual violence survivors and spreading awareness. I’m here because I work and volunteer with the organization, but seeing people show up and come here out of their own will is really encouraging and makes you proud to be doing the work that you’re doing,” added Acton.
Sophomore, Student Engagement Coordinator and Grant Administration Assistant Riley Gilman also participated in the walk and said showing up to support survivors is an act of love.
“It takes a lot to be open with sexual assault awareness and to just be out here on a Friday night. It’s very loving to be here and take a walk with people who hold the same values as you,” said Gilman.
Ryan Pacheco can be contacted at
rpacheco@kscequinox.com
