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UTA observes Sexual Assault Awareness Month early

Written by Dustin L. Dangli

Monday, 23 March 2009 07:50 PM

Musicians Nathan Johnson and Jeff Bryant perform Monday afternoon in the University Center Mall as a kickoff for sexual assault awareness month. The Relationship Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention Program is placing “Silhouettes for Survivors” around campus. These cutouts have brass plaques with facts about sexual assault. (The Shorthorn: Stephanie Goddard)

The university’s Relationship Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention Program kicked off Sexual Assault Awareness Month early Monday with live music and information on the University Center mall.

The Nathan Johnson Band played songs about domestic violence like “Tough Times.”

The entertainment was a good way to hook students to the event, said Frank Lamas, Student Affairs vice president.

Three green human silhouettes were present with statements about sexual assault like, “Every two minutes, someone in the United States is sexually assaulted.”

Graphic design junior Enrique Paniagua spent time on the mall listening to the music and reading the facts on the silhouettes.

“The statistics are mind blowing,” he said. “It is a problem that people don’t pay attention to.”

RVSP Coordinator Deanee’ Moran said she obtained the information from the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network’s Web site. The RVSP office, in the Maverick Activities Center, provides counseling and other support for sexual assault victims.

The silhouettes will be on campus from March 30 to April 3.

Moran said there’s a misconception that sexual assaults happen from the “boogey man in the bushes,” and we’re taught beliefs like “stranger danger,” but most sexual assaults come from those closest to the victims.

Moran wants students who consider themselves sexual abuse victims to know they have a place on campus for help.

Sexual Assault Awareness Month Events:

March 30–April 3 — Students, faculty and staff can come into the RVSP office to decorate clothing to be displayed April 6-13.

April 2 — Sexual assault survivor Vickie Lamb presents her story — 2 p.m., Lone Star Auditorium.

April 16 — RVSP will show the film Searching for Angela Shelton — 2 p.m., Lone Star Auditorium.

May 7 — Sex Signals, and improv comedy show — 6 p.m., Lone Star Auditorium. The act puts a spin on topics like sexual assault.

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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 28 April 2009 06:23 PM )

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