MiraCosta to Hold Myriad Activities to Mark Sexual Assault Awareness Month

 April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and the MiraCosta College student club NAMI On Campus (National Alliance on Mental Illness) is hosting several activities to raise awareness of this type of assault.

The National Violence Against Women Prevention Research Center at the Medical University of South Carolina estimates that potentially 3.8 million women in the U.S. suffer from rape-related PTSD, many of whom do not speak up due to the stigma associated with it. NAMI is sponsoring these events in an effort to assist those victims who may feel unsupported within our community.

The Clothesline Project

This free interactive activity allows participants to paint a T-shirt with a personal message speaking out against sexual violence. These T-shirts will be displayed on a clothesline for the remainder of April to promote awareness and advocacy on campus. The Clothesline Project will be held April 21, 22, 23 from 12 to 2 p.m. near the fountain at the Oceanside Campus, located at 1 Barnard Drive. In addition, red flags will line the sidewalks around Bldgs. 3000, 3200 and 3300.

Sexual Assault Awareness Rally

Faculty and community speakers will provide educational information about sexual assault and the resources available in our community. Keynote speaker at the rally will be Katie Koestner, an international advocate to end sexual violence, and the founder of “Take Back the Night,” an organization aimed at raising awareness and educating academic and corporate institutions about sexual assault.

During the rally, College Police will have a trainer on hand who will provide tools and skills for safety on and off campus, and a mental health counselor will be available for consultation throughout the event. The rally will be held April 28, 12:30 a.m.–1:50 p.m. on the Oceanside Campus.

Films: No Visible Bruises: The Katie Koestner Story
Please Write Back

The Associated Student Government will hold a special screening of two 30-minute films about Katie Koestner, who as a college freshman in 1990, was raped by a man she had been dating. Her story led to a national discussion of date rape and the slogan "no means no." There will be a discussion following the screenings, which will be held April 28, 6:30 p.m. at MiraCosta College’s San Elijo Campus, 3333 Manchester Avenue in Cardiff.

Denim Day, April 29

Denim Day is an international day of protest against sexual assault when individuals are asked to wear jeans in support of survivors, and to raise awareness about misconceptions that surround sexual assault. A group photo in front of the Oceanside Clothesline at 9:30 a.m. will be the culmination of the month’s activities. There will also be a photo taken at 12:30 p.m. at the San Elijo Campus.

Sponsored by the, Associated Student Government with support from the MiraCosta College Police, Foundation, Health Services, Facilities, Psychology, Student Services, Instruction, Service Learning and Sociology departments.

For more information, contact Anjeanette Oberg, co-adviser to the NAMI On Campus Club, at aoberg@miracosta.edu.

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