Events planned for Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Pitt-Bradford is sponsoring a number of events in April in conjunction with Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

The highlight of the month will be a talk by keynote speaker Kimberly Corban at the “Take Back the Night” rally and march against rape, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and sexual abuse. The event will take place from 7:30 to 9 p.m. April 13 at the Harriett B. Wick Chapel and is open to the public.

In 2006, Corban was a college student at the University of Northern Colorado, and an intruder broke into her apartment and raped her.  Corban went on to testify at her assailant's trial in 2007, helping to convict a man who police said would likely have become a serial rapist or serial killer, according to The Washington Post. She has worked ever since to advocate on behalf of sexual assault survivors and in support for gun rights.

“Take Back the Night” is sponsored by the Offices of the President, Academic Affairs, and Student Affairs, the History and Political Science Club, the International Relations/Model United Nations Club, the African-American Student Union, the Latino and Caribbean American Student Association of Bradford and the YWCA Victims' Resource Center.

Other public events during the month are an “Asking for It” event on consent sponsored by the Pitt-Bradford LGBTS Alliance from noon to 1 p.m. April 6 at Wick Chapel.

The Alliance will also offer two “Safe Zone” trainings for anyone interested. The first will take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. April 6 in Dining Rooms A and B of the Frame-Westerberg Commons. The second will take place from 1 to 2:30 p.m. April 7 in the same location.  Safe Zone training helps individuals share their experiences and viewpoints, become more comfortable talking about LGBT issues, and learn how to be a supportive ally.

On April 13, from 2 to 4 p.m. outside the Commons, the campus's Democratically Engaged Members of Society club will hold a “Slut” Walk event to raise awareness about victim blaming and slut shaming regarding sexual assault.

On April 14, students will join with the YWCA Victims' Resource Center, the Blaisdell Foundation, the Zippo/Case Museum, American Refining Group, Bradford Regional Medical Center and Northwest Savings Bank for “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes,” a march against rape, sexual assault and gender violence. The march will be held from 5:45 to 7 p.m., beginning and ending at Veterans' Square downtown.

Students will also have the opportunity to attend bystander intervention training throughout the month, sponsored by the Division of Student Affairs. Bystander intervention trains students to interrupt a potentially harmful situation, such as allowing a friend who has been drinking to leave a party. It also emphasizes curtailing inappropriate jokes or innuendo.

Activities are sponsored and planned by the Sexual Assault Awareness Committee under the direction of Dr. Helma deVries-Jordan, assistant professor of political science. For more information, contact her at hdevries@pitt.edu.

For disability related needs, contact the Office of Disability Resources and Services at (814)362-7609 or clh71@pitt.edu.