In a series of events, community members welcomed guest lecturers, raised awareness, and engaged in dialogue during sexual assault awareness month. Observed in April, the annual campaign raises public awareness about sexual assault and educates communities and individuals on how to prevent sexual violence.
Image by Tom Rettig
Byron Hurt, award-winning documentary filmmaker, published writer, anti-sexist activist, and lecturer, speaks with members of the community May 3 in Seelos Theatre on sexual harassment, gender-based violence and hazing. Since 1993, Hurt has been using his craft, his voice, and his writings to broaden and deepen how people think about gender, race, sex, violence, music, and visual media. As an activist, he has served as a gender violence prevention educator. Hurt served as associate director of the first gender violence prevention program in the United States Marine Corps.
Image by Tom Rettig
Members of the community make a social statement on April 27 by signing and wearing jeans as a visible means of protest against misconceptions that surround sexual assault on Denim Day. Denim Day is an internationally recognized campaign to prevent sexual violence through education and public awareness. Monetary contributions raised during the day support Abby’s House, a shelter for women and children survivors in Worcester.
Image by Andrea Peraza Calderon
Relationship Peer Educators, a student-led group present a screening of “Escalation,” an award-winning short film designed to educate viewers on the warning signs of relationship violence. After the screening on April 27 , facilitators had an informative discussion to help raise awareness of relationship violence, and empower students as bystanders.