From April 8 through 14, The Advocates program, in collaboration with many other groups on campus, will host Teal Week. The week aims to raise awareness around sexual violence and empower the voices of survivors.
Audrey DeBritz, president of the Advocates Program, explains the week is significant to both “bring awareness to sexual assault and practice ways to take care of yourself.”
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), originally organized by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC). According to the NSVRC website, this year marks the 18th official anniversary of SAAM, though its roots go back much further. The movement against sexual violence was championed by women of color during the Civil Rights Era, eventually growing into the movement it is today.
According to NSVRC, one in five women and one in 67 men will be raped in their lifetime. These statistics grow for people of marginalized races, sexualities, and gender identities. According to RAINN, women aged 18-24 are three times more likely to experience sexual violence.
At SLU, Teal Week is the culmination of many groups’ efforts against sexual violence. Events like Teal Week aim to empower survivors, while also bringing awareness to the prevalence of sexual assault on college campuses.
Keep an eye out for the many events happening throughout the week: On Monday, the Outing Club is kicking off the week with a sunset hike up Mt. Arab. Later, Woodcarving Club is hosting a self-care soap-carving workshop. At 7pm, Carefree Black Girls and the Sexual Assault Domestic Violence Coalition (SA/DV) will host a discussion hour centering around the black female experience. Rahel Mideksa ’21 from Carefree says the event is “to create space for black women to voice their narratives and share their daily experiences.” She explains “it gives women of all groups an opportunity to come together.”
On Tuesday, the Dub and Advocates will be hosting Take Back the Night in Gunnison Chapel at 7pm. The event aims to give space for the voices of survivors of sexual violence. After the prepared speeches, there will be a candlelight vigil on the quad, and an optional speak-out for those who want to share their own experiences.
Grace Wetzel ’19, a member of the Dub, explains, “this is one of the most important events that students here can attend all semester. When the chapel is full of people listening to their peers as they boldly share their stories, it sends a clear message that St. Lawrence University cares, and that we believe.”
Wednesday evening, Planned Parenthood Generation Action (PPGA) will lead “Empower Hour Yoga” from 5-6 in the Winston Room. The event aims to focus on mindfulness, empowerment, and celebrating one’s strength. Wednesday night, Java will host a Teal Week-themed open mic night. If interested in performing, students may contact Blair Champion at btcham15@stlawu.edu to secure a spot. Any act from music, dance, poetry, and prose are welcome and encouraged for the event.
The week will end with three days of Advocates AWARE training in Griffiths 123. To register, email masear16@stlawu.edu. DeBritz explains becoming AWARE trained is important “to gain knowledge” about the different resources SLU supplies, as well as to be part of an “amazing community and support system.”
If you have experienced sexual violence, you are not alone. The St. Lawrence Advocates program is a 24/7, anonymous hotline: (315) 244-5466. The National Sexual Assault Hotline is 1-800-656-4673.