CONTENT WARNING: Discussion of sexual assault. If you have been sexually assaulted, or are not sure, there are several ways to get support. View options on campus through University Health Services.
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and for the third year, University Health Services is hosting a “Connect & Reflect” event April 30 to raise awareness and create community.
This event is the last scheduled in the Rape Crisis Center’s series of events throughout the month.
The two main goals are to connect University of Wisconsin students and create a community space for survivors and allies to reflect on the history of sexual assault activism, according to UHS.
The art and history gallery is located on the 4th floor of the Student Activity Center.
The art and history gallery features information on significant historical events about campus sexual assault, according to a UHS announcement.
The history component of the gallery coincides with the 50th anniversary of Title IX, a law designed to help protect people from educational discrimination based on gender, according to UHS.
In the gallery, students can find information on the subsequent pushback to Title IX, the Clery Act, and sexual assault activism and legislation at UW over the years, including true stories from survivors and activists, according to UHS.
UHS Assistant Director of Violence Prevention Sam Bowen mentioned that the gallery includes artwork from UW students, in addition to a vast depiction of activist history.
“The student art submissions that we receive are really beautiful and really powerful,” Bowen said. “This year we have more art submissions and we have an interactive educational component.”
UHS and student organizations will host a variety of events that connect students, build community and raise awareness of campus resources for survivors that day, according to UHS.
Campus sexual assault makes up 43% of total on-campus crimes in the U.S. and up to 25% of female college students have reported experiencing it, according to the American Psychological Association.
“We want to raise awareness of the scope of the issue and also to host healing spaces for survivors themselves, where they can be in solidarity with other survivors and people who care about the issue,” Bowen said.
UHS Survivor Services provides free, confidential support services to UW student survivors of sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and/or stalking through the MyUHS app or their website. Contact is also available through survivorservices@uhs.wisc.edu and 608-265-5600 (option 3).
