Students Against Sexual Assault (SASA) is inviting students to participate in their bi-annual Week of Action. They welcome club members and newcomers alike.
From Oct. 25 to 31, SASA will host a number of campus events that aim to bring awareness towards sexual assault and its stereotypes, support sexual assault survivors and help students unwind with self-care activities.
On Oct. 25, SASA collaborated with Active Minds and Outdoor Pursuits for a mindfulness walk called “Healing Through Nature.”
The walk took place at Forest Park from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and featured reflection, stretching, journaling and meditation.
On Monday, Oct. 27, SASA will host a trauma informed panel with Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) nurses and a representative from In Our Backyard, a human trafficking advocacy organization.
The panel will be hosted in collaboration with the UP Student Nurses Association (UPSNA) as well as the UP Social Justice Club. It will take place in Dundon-Berchtold Hall (DB) Room 133 from 7-8 p.m.
On Tuesday, Oct. 28, SASA will provide students with a chance to de-stress with a self-care cookie decorating night. The event will take place in the DB Hall Room 232 from 6-7 p.m.
SASA Co-presidents Emma Wylie and Julia Witkowska encourage students to participate regardless of their club involvement and de-stress with a fun activity.
“Some of the events can be more serious and formal,” Wylie said. “We kind of like to give a little break in the middle [of the week] for people to just chill and build community.”
On Wednesday, Oct. 29, SASA will be collaborating with Campus Safety at an informative tabling event. The club will offer doughnuts and information about safe partying practices and Campus Safety resources ahead of Halloween. The tabling event will take place in front of Clark Library from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 30, marks the collaboration between SASA and Thrift & Fashion Club for a display titled “What were you wearing?”
The display will feature clothing worn by survivors during sexual assault incidents to shed light on the myth of clothing being the reason for assaults. The display will be set up in Bauccio Commons and will run from 12-1 p.m.
Wylie and Witkowska say the display intends to shift the narrative regarding victim-blaming in sexual assaults.
On Friday, Oct. 31, SASA’s fall Week of Action will conclude in the academic quad, with sexual assault awareness flags on display to remind passersby to stay informed on survivors’ stories.
Wylie hopes the different activities and information sessions will help students feel seen on campus.
“It’s important to us for students to feel heard and to feel supported on campus,” Wylie said. “So whether that means seeing the displays and knowing that someone’s out there that’s advocating, ... I think either way you decide to take it, it’s important to us to kind of build that community so people feel comfortable on campus.”
Witkowska hopes that students are not only better informed about sexual assault but also aware there is a community ready and willing to support survivors at UP.
“We hear you, we see you, we believe you,” Witkowska said. “We’re here as a community to help you out.”
If you or someone you know are in need of support for sexual assault trauma, UP provides a list of resources here.
Reem Alshaban is a news reporter at The Beacon. She can be reached at alshaban28@up.edu.
