Events mark a month of awareness

11:24 a.m., April 1, 2005--Films, lectures, workshops and demonstrations are scheduled across campus throughout April in observation of UD’s Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

Beginning Monday, April 4, and concluding Tuesday, May 3, the events are intended to raise awareness of sexual assault crimes and boost safety and vigilance both on and off campus.

A list of scheduled events follows.

Resource Booths, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., April 4, 12, 20 and 28, Kiosk A, Trabant University Center. The kiosk, which will be staffed one day a week through the month of April, will offer printed information on resources to assist individuals dealing with sexual assault and violence.

Capturing the Friedmans, 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 6, Trabant University Center Theatre. This documentary film chronicles the downfall of respected family man and teacher, Arnold Friedman, after he was accused of child molestation.

Scream Theatre, 7 p.m., Sunday, April 10, Multipurpose Rooms A and B, Trabant University Center. This is a peer education, interactive theatre program by Rutgers University students intended to initiate dialogue about interpersonal violence, ranging from bullying and peer harassment to stalking and dating violence.

The Silent Witness Project, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Monday-Friday, April 11-15, Trabant University Center Patio. This is part of a national initiative to remember those murdered in acts of domestic violence. Delaware’s Silent Witness Project is an exhibit of 14 people who died as a result of domestic violence in 1995.

Searching for Angela Shelton, 7:30 p.m., Monday, April 11, Trabant University Center Theatre. This film by social activist and filmmaker Angela Shelton explores the prevalence of sexual violence in the United States. Through interviews with randomly selected women all named Angela Shelton, the avant-garde filmmaker discovered that 24 out of 40 of them had been raped, beaten or molested.

Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) class demonstration, 5 p.m., Wednesday, April 13, Ewing Room, Perkins Student Center. This demonstration will give participants an overview of basic strategies for self-defense.

Reclaiming Life After Sexual Assault, 7 p.m., Thursday, April 14, Trabant University Center Theatre. This lecture, by Debra Puglisi Sharp, a local assault survivor, will highlight strategies that can help individuals recover from sexual and violent traumas. Signed copies of her book, Shattered, will be available for purchase.

The Delaware Clothesline Project, Monday-Friday, April 18-22, Perkins Student Center Gallery. This community installation/art project of T-shirts designed by survivors of domestic and sexual violence is intended to increase awareness of the widespread nature of the problem.

No! 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 19, Trabant University Center Theatre. This film by feminist Aishah Shahidah Simmons takes a look at black women’s views and experiences of sexual, racial and gender-related oppression.

Can I Kiss You? A lecture on dating, communication, respect and sexual assault awareness, 7 p.m., Wednesday, April 20, Rodney Room, Perkins Student Center. This lecture, by author and speaker Michael Domitrz, will examine the way that society conditions dating customs in the United States.

Safeproofing Your Kids, noon, Thursday, April 21, Collins Room, Perkins Student Center. This lunchtime lecture will be given by Joanne Kassees, a licensed professional counselor of mental health, and Angela Sequin, coordinator of UD’s rape crisis program, S.O.S. The lecture will explore strategies for protecting children from becoming victims of sexual abuse or future perpetrators of sexual violence.

The Brandon Teena Story, 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 26, 115 Purnell Hall. This film focuses on discrimination against transgendered individuals and documents the events recounted in the 2001 award-winnning film, Boys Don’t Cry.

Men Ending Rape, 7 p.m., Wednesday, April 27, 130 Sharp Lab. This lecture by UD junior Keith Edwards, will highlight attitudes and behaviors that lead to sexual assault and rape.

Take Back the Night March, 7 p.m., Thursday, April 28, Old College steps. This demonstration, hosted by Students Acting for Gender Equality (SAGE), will include a rally with writer, speaker and social activist Hanne Blank, whose work has appeared in many publications, including The Village Voice and OUT Magazine.

50 Years of Silence, 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 3, Trabant University Center Theatre. This film calls attention to the tales of more than 200,000 women and girls and the systematic use of rape as a weapon during World War II. A discussion with Margaret Stetz, Mae and Robert Carter Professor of Women’s Studies at UD, will follow.

All events are free and open to members of the campus community. For more information, visit [www.udel.edu/OWA].

Campus organizations and offices that helped plan and support Sexual Assault Awareness Month events include: Activities and Programs Office, Center for Black Culture, Center for Counseling and Student Development, Commission on the Status of Women, Delaware Clothesline Project, Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Department of Public Safety, Faculty and Staff Assistance Program, HAVEN, LGBT Community Office, Men Against Rape Society (MARS), National Panhellenic Conference, Office of Judicial Affairs, Office of Public Relations, Office of Residence Life, Office of Women’s Affairs, Publications Office, Rape Crisis CONTACT Services, Resident Student Association, Sexual Offense Support Service (SOS), Students Acting for Gender Equality (SAGE), Student Centers and Student Centers Programming Advisory Board (SCPAG), Student Health Services, University Religious Leaders Organization, UD’s chapter of V-Day, Visiting Women Scholars Fund, Wellspring and the Women’s Studies Program.

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