We’ve seen a rising tide of change come about recently in regards to sexual assault and violence response. From movements like #MeToo and #TimesUp to national organized events like the Women’s March, people’s understanding and awareness of sexual assault and the issues that come with them has grown in major ways. The Silence Breakers, those who spoke out against sexual assault, were even named Time magazine’s Person of the Year for 2017. Now in the month of April, we can take time to recognize these changes and help these causes, our friends, and loved ones in new ways. April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month in America.
SUNY, and our individual campuses, are taking part in events and projects through the month of April, and beyond, to help raise awareness of the issue of sexual assault and bring support to those in need.
Walking to educate
Yards For Yeardley came about through the One Love organization. The campaign was started in 2014 as a way to bring people together to honor Yeardley and support One Love’s mission to end relationship abuse by educating young people about healthy and unhealthy relationships. This year, SUNY campuses are working together to reach a distance of 50 million miles (the distance around the globe), while sparking conversations that can save lives along the way. Throughout the month, you can follow along using #SUNYOneLove to see how far SUNY goes to help raise awareness of this issue.
Young adults, especially college-aged people, are 3x as likely to experience relationship abuse. Yards For Yeardley is a national organization bringing the attention of this epidemic to the forefront of our attention. Many campuses have hosted events to bring attention to this issue in the past, helping their campuses become safer, more welcoming places for all students. Identifying the signs and educating students on what resources are available is a big mission for the One Love Foundation and SUNY as a whole.
Having victims’ back
SUNY’s Got Your Back was started in 2016 as an effort to collect comfort kits for victims and survivors of sexual and interpersonal violence who come to shelters and centers across the Empire State. The original effort was modest, aiming to fill a modest 2,016 bags in 2016. But students and volunteers showed such support to the initiative, the numbers grew well beyond the intended 2,016. Today, after two years, volunteers have filled more than 20,000 bags in locations all across New York to deliver to various rape crisis and domestic violence shelters throughout the state.
Moving forward through 2018, the SUNY’s Got Your Back program will continue to grow. In addition to more events on SUNY campuses and at system administration, the leaders behind the initiative are working closely with past partners the PGA Tour and PGA Tour Wives Association to further expand the partnership between our organizations.
Expanding response resources
Many of our students come from different countries and ensuring that they know their rights is essential to their safety and success. While many who study or conduct research in the U.S. understand English well, during a time of trauma and stress, they may have difficulty understanding their rights or options for care. This is why the SUNY Sexual Assault & Violence Response (SAVR) Resources has been expanded to provide Visa and Immigration Resources that give immigrant students who are the victims or survivors of sexual or interpersonal violence information they need, available in their native language, while still being customized to the resources available on campus and in the community. To aid institutions, both in SUNY and throughout the country, in providing this service, we have translated the document into 120 languages. This is an incredible resource for all students with first languages other than English. We are proud to be at the forefront of this service and hope that it helps many students on all our campuses and beyond.
In addition to the Visa and Immigration resources, SUNY SAVR has also recently expanded to provide resources in American Sign Language. A series of videos is available that translates the Definition of Affirmative Consent, Amnesty from Drug and Alcohol Use Conduct Charge, the Student Bill of Rights, and the right to report that covers all of the materials. This media further extends the available use of SUNY SAVR and shows the commitment to inclusion of all people who may need these resources.
Even though April is Sexual Assault Awareness month, it is important to always be on alert for signs from loved ones that they may be in a bad situation. SUNY is constantly at work to provide resources and actions year-round to help you or a loved one get out of a toxic situation.
Nice post Taras just love it, I hope some people take action in my country as well 🙁