The Women's Services and Resources, Title IX Office and the Sexual Assault Survivor Services held Sexual Assault Awareness Week Jan. 27 to Feb. 1.
Abigail Morrison, BYU’s deputy Title IX coordinator, said that the daily events were meant to raise awareness about sexual assault issues and resources available on campus.
“We hoped to provide something for everyone,” Morrison said.
Students read tables, posters and statistics posted around the events. Representatives from each of the three offices involved in the events answered students’ questions at each station.
Fifty percent of sexual assault survivors don’t understand what happened to them or recognize it as assault, one poster read.
Corinne Hatch, a student attending the event, was struck by the statistics.
“It’s crazy to learn about,” Hatch said.
For some, Sexual Assault Awareness Week held personal importance.
Kaitlyn Lima said that she had friends who were victims of sexual assault who found support and recovery through resources like Title IX.
“Finding those resources just really helped my friends progress,” Lima said. “Getting this information out is so important.”
Morrison also said that some people close to her have been affected, which is why this work is so important.
“Statistically, we know that one in three women and one in six men have experienced some form of abuse or misconduct which is too high and affects all genders,” Morrison said.
The theme of the week was to promote open conversation which allows everyone to have full access to resources, information and support.
“Of course we’re not talking about it because we don’t like to talk about things that scare us, we like to pretend they’re not there and erase the problem,” Lima said. “But the more we talk about this problem, the less likely it is to happen and be a problem.”
On BYU campus, these discussions unite and inform students.
“Having that open communication about it, where anybody is welcome to come and see, I think brings our environment and community together,” Hatch said.
Morrison said she is always impressed by the wide participation of the BYU student body in these events, and their willingness to do their part to keep themselves and others safe.
“I believe every single one of us plays an important role in creating a safe and respectful campus whether it’s in the classroom or in our relationships,” Morrison said.
More information is available on the webpages of BYU’s Women’s Services and Resources, Title IX and Sexual Assault Survivor Services or in their offices in the Wilkinson Student Center.