RVAP promotes campaign during Sexual Assault Awareness Month

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Monday, April 1, 2013
Written by: Susan Junis

The Rape Victim Advocacy Program (RVAP) at the University of Iowa hopes to raise public awareness and educate the community on preventing sexual violence during April, nationally recognized as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. This year's theme is "How Do You Ask?"

RVAP staff members encourage UI and local community members to be aware of and learn about sexual assault, especially during the month of April but also throughout the year.

campaign poster with wordclouds containing questions

During April, the "How Do You Ask?" campaign will be promoted throughout Iowa City, including at the Iowa City campus of Kirkwood Community College on Wednesday, April 3, UI Burge Residence Hall on Wednesday, April 10, and UI Mayflower Residence Hall on Wednesday, April 17.

Students are encouraged to stop by the "How Do You Ask?" displays to get their pictures taken with a word bubble explaining how they ask for consent and play Jeopardy for a chance to win giveaways, while supplies last. The campaign highlights the necessity for consent in all sexual interactions and provides students with potential scripts to use.

A man gzing into a sunset in a promotion for the documentary film, Boys and Men Healing

In addition to the "How Do You Ask?" campaign, other events include the following:

  • Boys and Men Healing Documentary Screening," Monday, April 8, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Iowa City Public Library, Room A. Boys and Men Healing is a film that follows the stories of three male survivors of childhood sexual abuse and discusses their struggles and healing processes. Stay after the viewing for a facilitated discussion and light refreshments. This event is co-sponsored by RVAP, the UI Women's Resource and Action Center (WRAC), University Counseling Service (UCS), and the UI Cultural and Resource Centers.
  • “Anti-Street Harassment Day of Action—Silent Witness,” Friday, April 12, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., Iowa City Downtown Pedestrian Mall. Stand with us in silence to protest street harassment (e.g. catcalling and slurs) that happens in our community. This event is co-sponsored by the WRACtivists.
  • "Clothesline Project" and “Sole Survivor,” Thursday, April 25, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., UI Pentacrest lawn. Clothesline Project is a display of T-shirts created by victims/survivors or loved ones of sexual assault, domestic violence, child sexual abuse, hate crimes, and homicide. Sole Survivor is a display of shoes to represent the number of sexual assaults on campus. This event is co-sponsored by RVAP, Monsoon United Asian Women of Iowa, and the UI Graduate Social Work Student Association.
  • "Take Back the Night," Tuesday, April 30, at 6:30 p.m. on the UI Pentacrest lawn. A rally and march will take place supporting survivors of sex-related crimes and symbolically making the night safer for women and other marginalized groups. This event is co-sponsored by WRAC, the Men's Anti-Violence Council, RVAP, the Domestic Violence Intervention Program (DVIP) in Iowa City, and Monsoon United Asian Women of Iowa.

For more information or a complete list of Sexual Assault Awareness Month activities, visit, www.rvap.org/pages/sexual_assault_awareness_month/#saam_2013 or www.uiowa.edu/~rvap/.

The 24-hour Rape Crisis Line number is 319-335-6000 or the Iowa Sexual Abuse Hotline at 800-228-1625. RVAP is a full sexual assault victim services center offering information and free, confidential counseling, advocacy, and support to victims/survivors of sexual assault and harassment, stalking, and dating violence and their partners, friends, and family members.

All events are free and open to the public. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all UI-sponsored events. For more information or an accommodation to participate in any of these events, contact the RVAP office in advance at 319-335-6001.