WKU News

April marks Sexual Assault Prevention Month, and the WKU campus community will launch a series of events starting Tuesday, April 1.

The Sexual Assault Prevention Month Kick-Off will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Downing Student Union Courtyard (rain location: first floor of DSU). This event will offer information on available campus and community resources for prevention and support. During the kick-off, campus departments, student organizations and local nonprofits will be present to share resources and promote awareness. Attendees can also participate in various activities and receive giveaways.

Other Sexual Assault Prevention Month activities include the following:

• Monday, April 7: Part of the Solution, 5 p.m. at Downing Student Union, room 3024. An interactive discussion designed for college men to learn about different forms of sexual assault, how to intervene as a bystander and how to support survivors. The session includes a panel discussion and Q&A with campus officials.
  
• Wednesday, April 9: First Things First, 5 p.m. at Cherry Hall, room 125. A spoken word and creative nonfiction event highlighting issues of sexual assault awareness, prevention, gender identity and more. A Hope Harbor representative will be available to share resources. Donations to support Hope Harbor are welcome.
• Saturday, April 12: Take Back the Night, 5-8 p.m. at Fountain Square Park and The Capitol. A rally and community event that unites attendees against violence and supports survivors. The event features guest speakers, community resource tables, activities, a video presentation and a vigil in downtown Bowling Green. This event is presented by Hope Harbor.
• Wednesday, April 16: Warrior Within: Self-Defense Basics, 5-6 p.m. at Preston Center Multipurpose Room. A hands-on class focused on self-defense and de-escalation techniques, presented by WKU Student Wellness.
• Tuesday, April 29: Rage n Relax, 1-4:30 p.m. at WKU South Lawn. A wellness event offering relaxation activities alongside an opportunity to express emotions in a safe space. Presented by Housing & Residence Life and Campus Recreation & Wellness with interactive stations including sidewalk chalk, bubbles and stress-relief activities.

Monthlong Activity:

• "I Said What I Said" Exhibit at Intercultural Student Engagement Center Gallery. An audio and visual exhibit that shares survivor stories and promotes awareness of sexual assault and its impact.

More details on Sexual Assault Prevention Month events are available online at www.wku.edu/heretohelp/sapm.

Sexual Assault Prevention Month is coordinated by WKU Counseling Center, Hope Harbor, Inc., Barren River Area Safe Space, WKU Student Conduct, WKU Health Education and Promotion, WKU Student Activities, WKU Social Work, WKU Department of English, WKU Student Government Association, and WKU Communications & Marketing. Events are presented with support from the WKU College of Health and Human Services, WKU Gender and Women’s Studies, WKU Restaurant Group, and WKU Intercultural Student Engagement Center.

Contact: Elizabeth Madariaga, (270) 745-3159