In years past, University of Maine Rape and Sexual Assault Awareness Week observances have included candlelight vigils, banner contests and marches - visible and often moving sights that heighten awareness, rally support and educate members of the University community

Maine Perspective

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University of Maine

The University of Maine DigitalCommons@UMaine Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Special Collections 9-11-1992 Powerful Images Expected to Come from This Year's Rape and Sexual Assault Awareness Week Maine Perspective Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/social_justice  Part of the Gender Equity in Education Commons, Higher Education Commons, and the United States History Commons Repository Citation Maine Perspective, "Powerful Images Expected to Come from This Year's Rape and Sexual Assault Awareness Week" (1992). Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion. 727. https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/social_justice/727 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by DigitalCommons@UMaine. It has been accepted for inclusion in Social Justice: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@UMaine. For more information, please contact um.library.technical.services@maine.edu. Powerful Images Expected to Come From This Year’s Rape and Sexual Assault Awareness WeekIn years past, University of Maine Rape and Sexual Assault Awareness Week observances have included candle­light vigils, banner contests and marches - visible and often moving sights that heighten awareness, rally support and educate members of the University community.This year, two new activities are planned that organizers hope create strong, visual images that people will not soon forget.Rape and Sexual Assault Awareness Week 1992 opens Sept. 14 with the dedi­cation of the United Against Rape and Sexual Assault Memorial - a rope strung through the trees on the Mall where red ribbons will be tied by members of the University community for eveiy person they know who has been raped or sexu­ally assaulted, or whose life has been affected by these crimes. The Memorial, which will remain in place throughout Rape and Sexual Assault Awareness Week and into the next, is designed “to make people aware just what an impact this crime has on our community,” according to Sheri Cousins, chair of the Rape and Sexual Assault Awareness Week Committee and program coordinator for Campus Living and Student Services.“It’s created to help people understand that we don’t see that pain and that we need to support those who struggle with the issues of rape and sexual assault.”The red ribbons will be available at the Rape and Sexual Assault Awareness Week information tables in the Union throughout the week, and at a specially designated table on the Mall, weather permitting. Cousins predicts that, by week’s end, people will be surprised how many red ribbons will be part of the Memorial.“Through this Memorial, people will realize this has been a silent and unseen issue that the community struggles with,” Cousins said. “They will recognize that rape and sexual assault is more prevalent than we ever understood. As a result, I predict we’ll have greater awareness and sensitivity toward people who have been affected, as well as greater awareness of the crime and the need to do something about it.”Two days after the dedication of the Memorial, the student group, Men Against Rape, will hold a Pledge of Alliance rally on the Mall in front of Fogler Library. Designed for men only, Men Against Rape members will ask men to sign Pledge of Alliance cards promising to listen to women, to hear them when they say no, and to do their part in helping stop rape and sexual assault. Men who show their support will then tie blue ribbons amidst the red on the United Against Rape Memorial.In lieu of the traditional keynote address for Rape and Sexual Assault Awareness Week, the Committee decided that “money could be better utilized with programming throughout the year,” Cousins said. “Rather than spending money to bring in a speaker who would reach 150-200 people, we plan to do programs every month on campus.” Such programming was a part of New Student Orientation last month as UM Peer Educators presented two programs on personal safety and a self-defense expert gave demonstrations.IT HURTS. LET’S DEAL WITH IT.“We will continue to make the University community aware that rape and sexual assault do occur on campus, that such crimes have an extreme impact on people. We all need to take a stand against rape and sexual assault, and do whatever we can to help stop this crime,” Cousins said. “That has to do with educating others, learning to understand women and respect their wishes, and understanding that our students are struggling with this.”Highlights of Rape and Sexual Assault Awareness Week are as follows:Sept. 14Dedication of the United Against Rape and Sexual Assault Memorial on the Mall, noon.“University of Maine Responding to Rape,” a panel discus­sion with Sharon Silberman Hummels, District Attorney’s Office, Bangor; April Colburn, Counseling Center; Shellie Morcom, UM Women’s Health Services; Suzanne Estler, UM Office of Equal Opportunity, 12:30 p.m., Bangor Lounge, Union.Movie: Campus Rape. 2 p.m., Bangor Lounge, Union.Sept. 15“Understanding Rape Trauma Syndrome,” a lecture by Jennifer Burkhart. Rape Response Services, Bangor, 12:15 p.m., Sutton Lounge, Union.“Sex Gone Wrong: A Program for Men Only,” a lecture presented by Men Against Rape, 2 p.m.. Bangor Lounge, Union.Self-defense for Women Workshop by martial arts expert Tracey Smith, 5 p.m., call for a slot, x4183.Movie: Dreamworlds: Desire/Sex/Power in Rock Video, followed by response panel and group discussion, 7 p.m., Bangor Lounge, Union.Sept. 16Pledge of Alliance on the Mall, noon.“Warning! Dating May Be Dangerous to Your Health,” a program presented by Peer Educators, 12:15 p.m., Bangor Lounge, Union."Booze Blues: The Sobering Connection Between Alcohol and Date Rape,” a lecture by Robert Dana, Substance Abuse Services, 2 p.m., Bangor Lounge, Union.Movie: Someone You Know, followed by discussion, 3:30 p.m., Memorial Room, Union.“Date Rape,” a presentation by Athletes for Sexual Responsibility, 7 p.m., Bangor Lounge, Union.Self-defense for Women Workshop with martial arts expert Tracey Smith, 7 p.m., call for a slot, x4183.Sept. 17Movie: Not a Love Story, followed by response panel and discussion, noon, Bangor Lounge, Union.United Against Rape and Sexual Assault March, 4 p.m., Bangor Lounge, Union.Candlelight Vigil for Rape and Sexual Assault. 6 p.m., Fogler Library steps.Sept. 18“Counseling Center Support for Survivors and Friends," a presentation by Maxene Doty, UM Counseling Center, 10 a.m., Bangor Lounge, Union.Public Meeting of the Rape and Sexual Assault Awareness Program Committee, noon. Bangor Lounge, Union.Self-defense for Women Workshop by martial arts expert Tracey Smith, 3 p.m., call for a slot, x4183.MAINE PERSPECTIVE 7

Powerful Images Expected to Come from This Year\u27s Rape and Sexual Assault Awareness Week

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Powerful Images Expected to Come from This Year\u27s Rape and Sexual Assault Awareness Week

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