Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Peru State College presents

#SAAM2021 #Cats4Consent

* For each event, snap a photo and tag @PSCBobcats on both Twitter and Instagram, and use #Cats4Consent #SAAM2021. Then get your teammates, coaches, instructors, friends, and family to get involved by nominating them to participate. After posting your pictures, tag three friends and encourage them to do the same.

Teal Tuesdays - every Tuesday in April

Wear teal, the national color for Sexual Assault Awareness Month. If you don’t have anything teal in your closet, stop by the information table for a teal awareness ribbon and a cotton mask.

Wednesday, April 7
I Am Evidence documentary screening and facilitated discussion
6:30-9 p.m.
Performing Arts Center

Featuring:

Jodi Hayes MSN, RN, BC, SANE-A, Forensic Nurse Examiner and SANE Supervisor for the CHI Health System, Omaha
Brittny Hermann, BSN-RN, FNE, CHI St. Mary’s Hospital, Nebraska City
Trisha Cusick BSN-RN, FNE, CHI St. Mary’s Hospital, Nebraska City
Moderated by Stephanie Huddle, Instructor of Criminal Justice, Peru State College

I Am Evidence tells the story of four survivors whose rape kits went untested for years, following them as they navigate their way through the criminal justice system and learn that so often, the system is broken. The film reveals the historic nature of the way we treat the crime of sexual assault in this country, and the positive effects that occur when perpetrators are held accountable and survivors are given an opportunity for healing and justice. I AM EVIDENCE has won the audience award for Best Documentary Film at both the Provincetown and Traverse City Film Festivals.

Content warning: Please be advised that this installation includes descriptions of sexual violence and may be upsetting. Confidential support is available through PSC Counseling Services on the second floor CATS Building with Jamie Eberly (402) 872-2436 and Janell Moore (402) 872-2369; and Project Response 24-hour crisis hotline 1-800-456-5764.

April 7-14
What Were You Wearing? Survivor Art Installation
On display on the second-floor lobby of the Performing Arts Center
Open during regular business hours

This installation provides a tangible response to one of our culture’s most pervasive rape myths. Outfits featured have been recreated by PSC students from the stories of student-survivors gathered at The University of Arkansas. The installation originated at the University of Arkansas in 2013 and was inspired by Mary Simmerling’s poem, “What I Was Wearing.”

April 7-11
Decorate a t-shirt for the Clothesline Project
Residence Halls and Cafeteria

To bring to light to sexual and relationship violence, The Clothesline Project is a powerful outdoor art installation created by members of the Peru State College family. Each shirt is decorated to represent an individual’s experience or to support someone who experience sexual violence. The Clothesline Project originally began in Hyannis, Massachusetts in 1990 and displays are now seen worldwide.

Share your message by decorating a shirt that will be included in the installation. Look for the t-shirt tables set up in the residence halls and cafeteria. All shirts need to be ready for installation by Monday, April 12.

Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to participate.

Consent is a Skill

Monday, April 12
Install the Clothesline Project
Between CATS and the Library
Noon

To bring to light to sexual and relationship violence, The Clothesline Project is a powerful outdoor art installation created by members of the Peru State College family. Each shirt is decorated to represent an individual’s experience or to honor someone who experience sexual violence. The Clothesline Project originally began in Hyannis, Massachusetts in 1990 and displays are now seen worldwide.

Thursday, April 22
Chalk the Walk
All Day, The Quad

Calling all student organizations, athletic teams, and residence halls: Share messages to educate and inspire the campus community. We’ll provide the sidewalk chalk and recommended messaging; you provide your creativity. Chalk kits are available in the student activities office in the Student Center.

Thursday, April 22
Cats 4 Consent March and Cover the Cruiser
11:00 a.m.
The Flagpole

We invite the campus community to assemble for the Cats 4 Consent March, an opportunity to support survivors of sexual violence, and join together to create an environment free of sexual violence.

Step up against sexual violence by signing a pledge to "Start by Believing.” Write your message on a pledge card and attach the Peru State College security cruiser.

Tuesday, April 27
Theatre Performance: Natural Shocks, featuring Joslyn Edmond
11 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Performing Arts Center

Directed: Laura Lippman
Assistant Director and Stage Directions: Aly Foster

Natural Shocks is a 60-minute, one-woman play that bursts to life when we meet a woman waiting out an imminent tornado in her basement. Angela, our fast-talking heroine, overflows with quirks, stories, and a final secret that puts the reality of guns and domestic violence in America in your very lap. The play is part confessional, part stand up, and part reckoning.

Wednesday, April 28
Denim Day: Wear Jeans for a Purpose and contribute an item to support Project Response

All students, staff, and faculty are encouraged to wear jeans on Denim Day. If you do, please donate any personal hygiene items to benefit Project Response in Auburn. Look for the collection box in the CATS Building at the front desk and at the SAAM information table in the Student Center and the AWAC .

For nearly two decades, “Peace Over Violence" has run its Denim Day campaign on a Wednesday in April in honor of Sexual Violence Awareness Month. The campaign was originally triggered by a ruling by the Italian Supreme Court where a rape conviction was overturned because the justices felt that since the victim was wearing tight jeans, she must have helped her rapist remove her jeans, thereby implying consent. The following day, the women in the Italian Parliament came to work wearing jeans in solidarity with the victim. Peace Over Violence developed the Denim Day campaign in response to this case and the activism surrounding it. Since then, wearing jeans on Denim Day has become a symbol of protest erroneous and destructive attitudes about sexual assault. In this rape prevention education campaign, we ask community members, elected officials, businesses and students to make a social statement with their fashion by wearing jeans on this day as a visible means of protest against the misconceptions that surround sexual assault.” (source: https://www.peaceoverviolence.org/denim-day )

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.

Support Survivors during sexual assault awareness month