April is National Sexual Assault Awareness Month
In support of National Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Fullerton College will host numerous workshops and events throughout the month of April to help raise awareness among college students about sexual assault against men and women. The campus-wide events are designed to educate, encourage, and provide students with access to a network of support. Many of the events are open to students and the entire community.
A workshop on domestic violence will be presented on Tuesday, April 14 from 10:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. in Building 200, Room 224. Susan Leavy will serve as a guest speaker for the workshop. Leavy holds a M.S. in counseling and teaches psychology at Cal State Fullerton. To RSVP contact the Cadena Cultural Center at (714) 992-7086.
Students will have an opportunity to obtain free health screenings and connect with more than 35 local health and safety organizations during the annual Spring Health Fair on Wednesday, April 15 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. on the quad. The health fair will also serve as an opportunity to connect students with affordable health care options in the community.
An educational screening of Justice for My Sister, will also be presented on April 15 in Building 200, Room 229 at 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. The award-winning documentary takes an intimate look at violence against women in Guatemala by chronicling the three-year journey of one particular woman as she tries to hold her sister’s killer accountable. A special Q&A with the film’s director, Kimberly Bautista will follow the screening.
On April 16, students, faculty and staff will “Take Back the Night” by hosting a rally, self-defense training, and a candlelight vigil in honor of all victims affected by sexual assault. The self-defense training will be held on the quad from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. followed by the rally & candlelight vigil. Take Back the Night rallies and protests date back to the late 1970’s when women in England held protests against the violence they encountered as they walked the streets at night. The first Take Back the Night event in the U.S. was held in 1978. Since then, sexual assault awareness activities have grown across the nation to address issues of sexual violence against both men and women.
A Walk in Her Shoes and The Clothesline Project will both be presented on April 21 on the quad. A Walk in Her Shoes challenges men to take a one-mile walk in high heels to raise awareness about violence against women. Several male instructors and students are expected to participate in the event. The walk begins at noon. Meanwhile, The Clothesline Project will transform the trees in the quad to resemble clotheslines. A clothesline with hanging t-shirts will be stretched from each of the trees to provide an art canvas for people to express their emotions using art.
Lastly, the Health Services Office will host a mental health awareness event on Wednesday, April 22 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Wilshire Auditorium. “BrickWall – Healing Through the Arts” is a fine arts showcase designed to promote physical and emotional healing through the arts. Submissions for the showcase were gathered throughout the months of February and March. The event is free and open to the community. More information is available by contacting Health Services at (714) 992-7093.
A list of all the events and workshops for Sexual Assault Awareness Month can be foundhere. Some events may require a RSVP. Please contact the appropriate person listed by each event for more information.
