BYU Women’s Services and Resources hosted its annual kickoff event for Sexual Assault Awareness Week in the Wilkinson Student Center, Monday, Jan. 26.
A stream of students entered the terrace, where a circle of booths lined the perimeter. Each booth represented a different resource to learn more about sexual assault.
Chloee Sattler, a junior majoring in European studies, works at the Women's Services and Resources office and was in charge of the event.
“We invited a lot of resources that we partner with at Women's Services and Resources. For this whole week, we actually partnered with Sexual Assault Survivor Services and Title IX. So they have other events going on this week that they're hosting,” Sattler said.
The kickoff event was an exhibition, a way to bring awareness and attention not only to sexual assault awareness but also to the support and different communities available to students.
The booths offered a range of on- and off-campus resources. While the resources varied, they offered a cohesive message of support, education and solidarity regarding the issue.
Lisa Leavitt is the director of Sexual Assault Survivor Services. She started the program for BYU nine years ago and was the representative at the program's booth.
“Make yourself aware because even though it’s not something that might ever happen to you, this happens on our campus. Sadly, it happens everywhere, but it does happen on BYU campus,” Leavitt said. “Knowing where to send somebody is vital because the sooner a person gets help, you know research shows that the more likely they are to heal.”
The goal for the week is to bring attention to an often taboo topic, sparking conversations about what sexual assault is, what it looks like and what to do if it happens to you or someone you know.
The event educated students by empowering them with the knowledge they need to help themselves and to help others.
Emily Larson, an attendee of the event and a math education major, was a victim of stalking. Because of this, she is passionate about finding ways to help her future students be aware of the issue.
“I think there’s a lot about this issue that is uncomfortable for people to talk about, but as long as it’s uncomfortable and shameful to talk about, women aren’t going to feel comfortable coming forward,” Larson said. “Getting rid of some of the shame aspect and making it feel more like a community of support, I think, will help a lot.”
Creating awareness and understanding of the issue is the first step in helping those who are affected by sexual assault to heal. Creating a safe space for these conversations sends a message of hope and empowerment.
Sexual Assault Awareness Week will continue with daily events hosted by different groups partnering with Women's Services and Resources until Jan. 30.
“We just really want everyone, whatever their knowledge is, to be empowered to stand up to sexual assault,” Sattler said.
