Oct. 2, 2002--The challenges posed by cyberstalking, date-rape drugs and recovery from sexual violence will be explored during Sexual Assault Awareness Week, Oct. 7-10, at the University.

Activities include discussion sessions, workshops, art exhibits and films that address issues ranging from personal healing to preventing sexual assault.

Presentation and program topics include:

• Dealing with online sexual predators, or “cyberstalkers,”
  
  
• Surviving the immediate aftermath of sexual assault and
  
  
• Raising awareness about the use of drug-facilitated, or date-rape drugs.

Special events

• “Beware of Cyberstalking” – A panel discussion by members of the UD community, the forum will focus on cyber sexual assault issues, including online threats, harassment and intimidation and will include a review of relevant sections from “Net Crimes and Misdemeanors: Outmaneuvering the Spammers, Swindlers and Stalkers Who Are Targeting You Online,” by cyberstalking expert Jayne Hitchcock. A victim of both online and off-line stalking and harassment, Hitchcock wrote the book to tell her own story and to give readers critical information to help prevent or lessen the chances that they will find themselves in a similar situation. 12:20-1:10 p.m., Monday, Oct. 7, in 209/211 Trabant University Center

• “Sexual Assault: The First 24 Hours”– Catherine Dukes of CONTACT Delaware, Rape Crisis CONTACT; Anita Symonds, a nurse in the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program; Joel Ivory, UD Public Safety; and Detective Claudine Malone, New Castle County Police, share a discussion with representatives from Residence Life and SOS (Sexual Offense Support Services) and will offer a step-by-step description of what a rape victim must face during the first 24 hours after an attack. 7 p.m., Monday, Oct. 7, Multipurpose Room A, Trabant University Center

Performances

• “Four Hearts Changing”– A play by Equalogy PlayRights that tells the story of two couples and asks who is telling the truth about a partner-battering incident. Equalogy PlayRights is a nationally touring group that seeks to expand awareness and promote social change around issues of equality by the use of theatrical techniques and presentation. 7-8:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 8, Multipurpose Room A, Trabant University Center

• “One Night”– A play that follows four friends through a night of alcohol use and flirtation and shows what happens when one friend accuses another friend of rape. The audience must decide who is telling the truth. 9-10:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 8, Multipurpose Room A, Trabant University Center

Forum

• “Date-Rape Drugs: Perception vs. Reality”– Christine A. Saum, associate scientist at UD’s Center for Drug and Alcohol Studies, leads a discussion focusing on the history of substance-related assault and the misconceptions surrounding three drugs–Rohypnol, GHB and Ketamine– characterized as date-rape drugs. 12:20-1:10 p.m., Multipurpose Room A, Trabant University Center

March and rally

• Take Back The Night– Beginning at 8 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 11, on the steps of Old College, and ending at the Trabant University Center, Students Acting for Gender Equality will lead the “Take Back the Night” march. Designed to bring awareness and empowerment to individuals and to inspire actions leading to the end of sexual violence, the annual candlelight march includes a rally that concludes with a “speak out” in the Multipurpose Room A of the Trabant University Center.

For more information, visit SAGE at [Copland.udel.edu/stu-org/sage].

T-shirt exhibition

The Delaware Clothesline Project features displays of T-shirts designed by survivors of sexual assault. The exhibition aims to increase awareness of the effects of violence, while recognizing the strength and courage of survivors of sexual violence. Displayed in Multipurpose Room A, Trabant University Center, the exhibition will be open 30 minutes before each Sexual Assault Awareness Week program as follows:

• Monday, Oct. 7—6:30-7 p.m.;

• Tuesday, Oct. 8—noon-12:30 p.m., 6:30-7 p.m.;

• Wednesday, Oct. 9—4:30-5 p.m.;

Participants are invited to make their own T-shirts from 4-10 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 10, in Room 209/211, Trabant University Center, where free materials will be provided from 4:30-6 p.m. A special resource booth with free gifts, information and awareness materials will be open from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Oct. 7-9, at Kiosk B, Trabant University Center.

Related events

Additional sexual assault prevention events are planned throughout the year.

• “Men Ending Rape,” 9 p.m., Monday, Oct. 7, in Multipurpose Room A, Trabant University Center

• “Healing and Recovery from Sexual Violence,” 12:30-1:45 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 8, 209/211 Trabant University Center

• “Drug Facilitated Rape,” with Rick Woodcock, 5-6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 9, Multipurpose Room A, Trabant University Center

• “Boys Don’t Cry,” 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 9, Trabant University Center Theatre, a film presented as part of National Coming Out Day

• “Sexuality: Gender Differences from Infancy to AARP,” a workshop with Sandy Knauer and Scott Barnthouse, noon-1: 30 p.m., Oct. 15, at a location to be announced. The program is open to students, faculty and staff and is sponsored by the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program. For more information, call 831-2414.

• “Issues In Healing,” a discussion session for survivors of sexual assault and their loved ones, with Vivian Yamada and Nancy Nutt, 7-8:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 30, in 209/211 Trabant University Center. Members of the Religious and Spiritual Life Concerns Caucus will be available during and after the program to discuss the potential for spiritual recovery.

• Fall/Spring 2002-03: Rape Aggression (RAD) Classes. Open free to all UD full-or part-time female students, faculty and staff employees, RAD is a female self-defense program designed to meet the needs of women who choose to use the option of physical self-defense.

Unless otherwise noted, all programs are free and open to the public. For information, call 831-8063. To request disability accommodations, call 831-8063 or (TDD) 831-4653 at least 10 business days in advance of the program or event.

For updates, visit the Office of Women’s Affairs online at [www.udel.edu/OWA/events.html].