2008 Woodie Awards
Week To Bring Attention To Sexual Assault
Michelle Firestone
Issue date: 4/14/08 Section: News
One of out every five college students have reported at least one instance of abuse in their relationship, according to the UConn Women's Center Web site. The website also says that 1.5 million women and more than 800,000 men in the United States each year are raped or physically assaulted by an intimate partner. This Wednesday, the Women's Center is holding several events in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness month.
The Women's Center is the main organization on campus that addresses sexual assault. It has organized numerous events for Sexual Assault Awareness month. An "Acting Up" program will be held on Wednesday. For this event, a performance education team within VAWPP will go around campus and do brief skits that will highlight some aspects of abusive relationships and give information about resources and ways to help victims or survivors.
"Take Back the Night," also on Wednesday, is a national event designed to "break the silence that traditionally exists around issues like sexual assault and women's violence," Cracco said. There will be a rally and a candlelit march during which survivors will be encouraged to tell their story.
Another event on Wednesday is the "These Hands Are Not for Hurting" program run by the Men's Project, a group of men working to encourage men to become involved in sexual violence prevention.
Elizabeth Cracco, the coordinator of the Violence Against Women Prevention Program (VAWPP) at UConn, does not feel society is paying enough attention to the issue of sexual assault.
"I think there is a lot of silence around the issue even today after years of trying to promote it," she said.
At UConn, the definition of consent is used as a cornerstone to help define sexual assault, Cracco said. UConn defines sexual assault as "unwanted sexual contact without consent". Consent has to be freely given and it is the responsibility of the initiator to obtain consent. It is also important to know that a person's silence does not mean they are giving consent.
The Women's Center is the main organization on campus that addresses sexual assault. It has organized numerous events for Sexual Assault Awareness month. An "Acting Up" program will be held on Wednesday. For this event, a performance education team within VAWPP will go around campus and do brief skits that will highlight some aspects of abusive relationships and give information about resources and ways to help victims or survivors.
"Take Back the Night," also on Wednesday, is a national event designed to "break the silence that traditionally exists around issues like sexual assault and women's violence," Cracco said. There will be a rally and a candlelit march during which survivors will be encouraged to tell their story.
Another event on Wednesday is the "These Hands Are Not for Hurting" program run by the Men's Project, a group of men working to encourage men to become involved in sexual violence prevention.
Elizabeth Cracco, the coordinator of the Violence Against Women Prevention Program (VAWPP) at UConn, does not feel society is paying enough attention to the issue of sexual assault.
"I think there is a lot of silence around the issue even today after years of trying to promote it," she said.
At UConn, the definition of consent is used as a cornerstone to help define sexual assault, Cracco said. UConn defines sexual assault as "unwanted sexual contact without consent". Consent has to be freely given and it is the responsibility of the initiator to obtain consent. It is also important to know that a person's silence does not mean they are giving consent.
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