MTSU Offers Activities In Observance Of Sexual Assault Awareness Month

The June Anderson Center for Women and Nontraditional Students at Middle Tennessee State University is spearheading a half-dozen inclusive activities on campus in April for Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

"Activities throughout Sexual Assault Awareness Month are important to our entire community," said June Anderson Center Director Maigan Wipfli, "because we understand that all students may be subject to sexual violence at some point in their life, whether they, themselves, have been affected, or someone they know."

The National Institutes of Health suggests the prevalence of sexual violence victimization on college campuses is approximately 25% for women and 5% for men, with an even greater percentage of gender-minority students at risk.

"The myriad of events show our students, faculty and staff that it is important to know the resources we have -- both on and off campus -- and there are multiple campus offices that are here for support," Wipfli said.

To kick off the monthlong schedule of events, the Clothesline Project will go on display Monday-Friday, April 1-5, in the Student Union Building, 1768 MTSU Blvd. At the end of March, the MTSU community was invited to decorate T-shirts to acknowledge sexual assault survivors and also offer messages of encouragement for the project.

• The annual "Walk a Mile in Their Shoes" event is slated for 4-6 p.m. Tuesday, April 9, on the front lawn of the MTSU Health, Wellness and Recreation Center, 1848 Blue Raider Drive.

Participants will go on a 1.1-mile walk from the Rec Center between the Business and Aerospace Building to Andrew Todd Hall and return to the starting line via the sidewalk passing in front of Keathley University Center.

Previously, the focus was on women, and men were provided high heels to wear for the walk.

"There are so many men, transgender and nonbinary people who are also affected by sexual assault," Wipfli said, "so we changed the theme to 'walk a mile in their shoes,' instead of just her shoes."

The walk is sponsored by the June Anderson Center, the Power of One office, Interfraternity Council, Fraternity and Sorority Life and MT SPARE. Information regarding sexual assault, both on- and off-campus services and resources for students, faculty and staff will be provided as well.

• The MTSU community is invited to "Color the Commons" between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Thursday, April 18, at the Student Union Commons. There will be over 30 squares available -- and a lot of chalk -- for people to decorate with messages of encouragement for sexual assault survivors.

Other activities supporting sexual assault survivors and promote awareness include "Teal Tuesday" on Tuesday, April 2, when participants are encouraged to wear teal ribbons and/or clothing, and "Denim Day" when everyone wears their favorite jean-inspired attire.

Plans are in the works to host a "Consent Bar," where students can get "mocktails" while discussing the importance of giving or receiving consent as well as the dangers of alcohol and alcohol-related sexual assaults. The date has yet to be determined.

"The Power of ONE and June Anderson Center staff want to empower all students to learn more about sexual violence, how it affects their relationships and how to gain access to our resources," Wipfli said.

All events are free and open to the MTSU community. A searchable campus map is available at bit.ly/3IWpzxP.

For more information, contact Wipfli at 615-898-2193 or maigan.wipfli@mtsu.edu. To learn more about what you can do if you are sexually assaulted on campus, go to mtsu.edu/sexual-violence/.