This Wednesday, April 13, the Violence Against Women Prevention Program (VAWPP), hosted their annual Take Back the Night event. This event takes place every April in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness month. It was held in the Student Union Ballroom to raise awareness about sexual, relationship and gender-based violence affecting the members of our community and to promote survivor empowerment and healing. Following the event, students marched through campus chanting with signs and candles. After, there was a “speak out,” where survivors shared their personal stories surrounding sexual and/or gender-based violence.
This years design for the t-shirts above.
Students created T-shirts with words and images about the issue of sexual assault.
Several groups performed and spoke out against sexual violence, including Poetic Release and Greeks Against Sexual Assault (GASA). A capella groups Rubyfruit and The Rolling Tones also performed.
Greeks Against Sexual Assault (GASA)
Poetic Release
Rubyfruit
The Rolling Tones
Former Undergraduate Student Government Sen. Stephanie Sponzo also spoke about the Celeron Path Beautification Project. Celeron Path, widely known as the “Rape Trail” is getting a new makeover. There were five new cherry trees planted on the trail. Sponzo said they will bloom every April in honor of Sexual Awareness Month. The project is one of the many ways that students are trying to end the perpetuation of rape culture on campus.
Former USG Senator Stephanie Sponzo