For Release Friday, March 25, 2022

Direct any questions to Dr. Susanne Williams, 402-872-2341, swilliams@peru.edu.

Peru State Announces SAAM Observation

Peru, Nebraska – April is nationally recognized as sexual assault awareness month (SAAM), an annual campaign to raise awareness about sexual violence and prevention. Peru State College announces a month-long series of events for its campus-wide observation of SAAM.

An annual observance at Peru State, SAAM events are designed to allow every level of participation.

“The campus will be wrapped in teal ribbons and the pathways marked with SAAM signage allow individual reflection. For those who choose to participate more visibly, we offer a variety of engaging audience events, panel discussions, a book club experience, trivia contests, trauma-informed yoga, and more.” Williams said. “Our goal is education about sexual violence and connection to supportive resources. It’s impossible to make positive change if we don’t first understand the problem,” she said.

The Peru Association of Student Athletes (PASA) and the Peru State College Staff Senate will hold a campus-wide donation drive benefiting Project Response in Auburn, hoping to top last year’s record collection of more than 700 items.

The full SAAM schedule is available here 

Highlighted free public events include:

Monday April 4 at 7:00 p.m., the Cats4Consent March and Cover the Cruiser, at the flagpoles at the campus entrance. Speakers at the event include Peru State President Michael Evans, Student Senate President Alyse Foster, and Project Response Advocate Alyssa Cline, among others. Participants are invited to sign cards pledging to support survivors and attach the cards on the campus security vehicle.

Immediately following the march is the opening reception for the survivor art installation “What were you wearing?” in AV Larson Art Gallery. The exhibit of clothing ensembles debunks the pervasive narrative used to blame survivors and justify perpetrators. “What were you wearing?” remains on view Monday-Friday during business hours until April 29.

Wednesday, April 27 at 7:00 p.m., the campus hosts “All You Need to Know about Sexual Assault in Nebraska” with speakers George Welch, Assistant Attorney General for the State of Nebraska and Anne Boatright, State Forensic Nursing Coordinator. The event is in the Performing Arts Center.

ABOUT SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH 

Since 2001, the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) has coordinated the national Sexual Assault Awareness Month campaign, observed every April. 

ABOUT NSVRC 

The National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) is the leading nonprofit in providing information and tools to prevent and respond to sexual violence. NSVRC translates research and trends into best practices that help individuals, communities, and service providers achieve real and lasting change. The center also works with the media to promote informed reporting. Every April, NSVRC leads Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), a campaign to educate and engage the public in addressing this widespread issue. NSVRC is also one of the three founding organizations of RALIANCE, a national, collaborative initiative dedicated to ending sexual violence in one generation. 

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