Campus And Community Events Mark Sexual Assault Prevention & Awareness Month

In recognition of Sexual Assault Prevention & Awareness Month, a variety of organizations from across Texas A&M University and the Bryan-College Station area will host events throughout the month of April aimed at educating the community, supporting survivors and raising money for important services.

Students, employees and community members are invited to attend the following events to learn more about the impact of sexual violence and discover how they can help combat the problem.

Books That Speak Out: April 1-30

All month long, Aggies can visit the Texas A&M Business Library & Collaboration Commons or go online to check out educational displays created by Health Promotion and the University Libraries. In addition to the various books, documentaries and other media on offer, the displays feature information about confidential resources for survivors and techniques for preventing and responding to sexual violence.

Sexual Assault Awareness Month National Day of Action: April 5

Health Promotion and the Sexual Assault Resource Center invite everyone to show their support for sexual assault prevention by wearing teal and sharing photos and messages through social media with the hashtags #SAAM and #SAPAMTAMU. Instagram users can tag @tamuhealthpromotion and @SARCBV. Additionally, all are welcome to stop by the resource table in Rudder Plaza from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

SLIDE Sexual Assault Awareness Week: April 4-8

Sophomore Leaders Impacting, Developing, and Educating (SLIDE) will be raising money for the Sexual Assault Resource Center throughout the week. Additional information will be available on the organization’s Instagram page.

Community Conversations

Texas A&M Health Promotion will host a series of live discussions covering a variety of key topics related to sexual violence. The talks will take place from 6:30-7 p.m. on the @tamuhealthpromotion Instagram page, and each will feature experts from a different organization:

April 5: The Identity of Sexual Violence (in partnership with the LGBTQ+ Pride Center and Education Abroad)

April 12: Adult Survivors of childhood Sexual Abuse (in partnership with Scotty’s House)

April 19: Supporting a Partner’s Healing from Sexual Trauma (in partnership with the Sexual Assault Resource Center)

Take Back The Night: April 7, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Part of the international Take Back the Night movement, this evening-long event in Rudder Plaza will feature resource tables, community speakers, an awareness walk through campus and a candlelight moment of silence and empowerment. The event will raise funds for the Sexual Assault Resource Center (SARC) of Brazos Valley, Scotty’s House, Twin City Mission Domestic Violence Services and UnBound Bryan-College Station.

Community Based Care & Support: Sexual Violence Prevention Training for Educators: April 14, 10-11  a.m.

Health Promotion is partnering with the Sexual Assault Resource Center to provide a one-hour training session for Texas A&M educators on effective strategies for preventing sexual violence and supporting survivors. Interested faculty, professional staff members, student assistants or organization leaders must fill out the online registration form ahead of time. The program will take place in person at the Student Services Building.

What Were You Wearing Display: April 18-22

The “What Were You Wearing?” exhibit aims to challenge victim-blaming and other harmful narratives by showing that sexual violence can happen to anyone — regardless of what they are doing, who they are with, or what clothes they have on. This year, Feminism 4 Aggies is partnering with the American Association of University Women to bring this powerful art display to Rudder Plaza.

Teal Talk Tuesday: April 19, 2 p.m.

The Sexual Assault Resource Center will go live on Instagram to discuss the impact of sexual violence within local Spanish-speaking communities.

Radical Expression Workshop: April 20, 5-6:30 p.m.

This workshop hosted by Texas A&M Health Promotion will offer strategies for combating unhealthy and abusive relationship dynamics, with a particular emphasis on topics related to gender identity and expression. Registration is required, and the event will take place at the Student Services Building.

Denim Day: April 27

As part of the longest-running sexual violence prevention and education campaign in history, Aggies are encouraged to wear denim and post on social media using the hashtags #TAMUDenimDay and #SAPAMTAMU. Once again, Instagram users can tag @tamuhealthpromotion and @SARCBV, and all are welcome to stop by the resource table in Rudder Plaza from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Healing With Friends: April 28, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Health Promotion and Rec Sports are teaming up to offer this unique opportunity for survivors, friends and allies to participate in a trauma-informed yoga class, learn self-care strategies and seek guidance from experienced professionals. The event will take place in person at the Student Rec Center and online via Zoom. Registration is required. More information about this safe and confidential event can be found on the Texas A&M events calendar.

Sexual Assault Awareness Month Facebook Live Panel: April 28, 6 p.m.

As the month draws to a close, the Sexual Assault Resource Center will host a talk focused on “Advocacy Beyond April.” All are invited to watch live on the center’s Facebook page.

Local Profit Shares

Throughout the month, several local restaurants will be sharing a cut of their profits with the Sexual Assault Resource Center. Community members can visit these businesses at the following dates and times to help support the center’s mission:

• Torchy’s Tacos: April 5, 5-9 p.m.
• Blaze Pizza: April 13, all day
• Grub Burger Bar: April 22, all day