Sexual Assault Awareness Month on Campus
Members of the Marist community at the Take Back The Night Walk. Source: Greta Stuckey ‘23
April Was Sexual Assault Awareness Month And Marist’s Title IX Office Held A Series Of Events To Combat Sexual Assault And Violence On Campus.
The theme of this year’s Sexual Assault Awareness Month was “Drawing Connections: Prevention Demands Equity.” The April campaign was focused on change at both the individual and systemic levels to foster equity, safety and respect.
Marist’s Title IX Outreach Coordinator Eliza Benfer set up a variety of educational workshops and events related to issues such as consent, warning signs and red flags. There were five events held during the month of April such as the “Take Back the Night Walk” and “Consent: It’s as Easy as Fries!”
“I think it's important to support people who have experienced sexual assault,” Christian Avancena ‘26 said at the Take Back The Night Walk. “This was a really good environment and I got to hear people tell their story of sexual assault which is empowering.”
Take Back the Night is the oldest worldwide movement to stand against sexual assault. The international annual walk was created to “shatter the silence” and “stop the violence.” Before students walked a loop around campus with candles lit and signs in hand, a few people told their stories of sexual assault.
“I’m really happy with the turnout we had at the walk,” Benfer said. “Survivors notice when people come out to support something they have experienced. A lot of people stood up to speak which is great.”
According to the Take Back The Night Foundation, one in three women worldwide experiences some form of sexual violence or intimate partner violence. One in six men also experince sexual violence. Despite sexual assault and violence being widespread, less than 50% of victims report these crimes.
“I came out to support members within the Marist community and I want to be a resource for students on campus,” Champagnat Resident Director Isabella Duenas-Lozada said at the Take Back the Night Walk.
In addition to the walk, Benfer and the Title IX office organized an event called “Take Back The Mic.” At the event, students signed up to read poetry, personal narratives and sing songs related to sexual violence. More than five students presented their work at the open mic night to advocate for survivors.
To finish out the month of events, the Title IX office gave out merchandise on April 26 for Denim Day. Denim Day is the annual sexual assault awareness event that works to start conversations about the destructive attitudes surrounding sexual assault such as victim blaming.
“Sexual violence is an epidemic,” Title IX Outreach Coordinator Eliza Benfer said. “I think we all have power and deserve mutual respect and bodily autonomy. This is an issue that students on campus are truly passionate about.”
In addition, the White Ribbon Walk took place on April 26. The event was a joint collaboration between the Title IX office and the Center for Student-Athlete Enhancement. The White Ribbon campaign is a global movement of men and boys working to end male violence against women and girls.
Students who have experienced sexual violence should contact the Title IX Office. Reporting can be intimidating, but the reporter should know, they have control over the handling of their situation. Although Sexual Assault Awareness is only recognized for one month, the Title IX Office works to combat sexual violence on campus every day.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, call the Marist Title IX Office at 845-575-3799. Or reach the office by email at titleix@marist.edu. Marist Counseling can be reached at 845-575-3314.