Empowerment self-defense workshop.

Sexual Assault Awareness Month Promotes Campus Community Education

From a self-defense workshop to a violence prevention walk and Denim Day, Health Promotion, Resilience, and Violence Prevention in the Center for Well-Being took various approaches to mark Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April. Various events were held across campus, and information was sent throughout the month by Peer Health Educators.

“Recognizing Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) gives us the opportunity to be part of the national messaging to raise awareness, show support for survivors of sexual assault, and educate the St. Thomas community about how to prevent sexual violence,” Melanie Tucker, director of Health Promotion, Resilience and Violence Prevention in the Center for Well-Being, said. “Our goal is for students to learn about community resources, consent, communication, bystander intervention, healthy relationships, and to make a commitment to keep our community free from violence.”

Brazilian jiujitsu teacher Rachel Piazza held an Empowerment Self-Defense workshop on April 20, teaching students how to set boundaries and learn self-defense skills.

Signs with assault statistics were placed throughout the lower quad for the Sexual Assault Awareness Walk, encouraging students to share their reflections on social media as they walked across campus. For Denim Day on April 27, students, faculty and staff were encouraged to wear denim to spread awareness of sexual assault.

If you or someone you know have been affected by sexual violence, please visit https://www.stthomas.edu/counseling and https://www.stthomas.edu/deanofstudents/students/sexualassaultresponse for help and resources.