(Peru, Neb.) – Peru State College will be participating in the national Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) in April with "Cats4Consent," an interactive campaign delivered through a variety of social media platforms. 2020 SAAM, coordinated by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC), raises awareness that consent is essential in all interactions, whether face-to-face or virtual, raises public awareness about sexual violence, educates communities on how to prevent it and bolsters prevention efforts throughout the year.
 
Dr. Susanne Williams, the retention specialist at the College, is chairing a committee of faculty, staff, and students for the SAAM activities. Williams stated, "We know that one month isn't enough to solve the serious and widespread issue of sexual violence. However, the attention April generates is an opportunity to energize and expand prevention efforts throughout the year."
 
The following social-distance activities are slated for the month. All students, staff, faculty, and the public are encouraged to participate.
 
Wear Teal Day April 22
 
On April 22, help turn social media teal — the color of sexual assault awareness and prevention — by sharing a teal selfie. Teal ribbons, t-shirts, nails, hair, makeup, jewelry, ties, and other accessories have been popular items worn in the past. Some people have even gotten creative and decked their pets out in teal. Wearing teal will serve as a conversation-starter for important issues like consent, respect, and supporting survivors.
 
Use this message and/or hastags:
"April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and I'm wearing teal to show my support for survivors" #SAAM #C4C #Cats4Consent
 
Talk It - Walk It!
 
Show everyone that Sexual Assault Awareness Month is important to you. Here's how:
 

  • By April 24, post a video of yourself catching the teal shoe (or any women's shoe), tell us why SAAM is important to you, and toss the shoe off screen. Post it using #Cats4Consent #C4C #SAAM.

 This will take the place of the campus's annual "Walk a Mile in Her Shoes" event which was originally scheduled for April 29.
 
Email your video to [email protected] and it will be added to the College's SAAM video project.

  • Consider using one of these messages:
    • "April is sexual assault awareness month. I care enough to put myself in her shoes."
    • "April is sexual assault awareness month. I'll walk a mile in her shoes."
    • "April is sexual assault awareness month. I support all survivors."
    • "April is sexual assault awareness month. I ask for consent."
    • "April is sexual assault awareness month. Cats for consent."


Wear Jeans with a Purpose
 
Supply Drive for Project Response
During the month of April, Peru State's professional and support staff will be enjoying two days of wearing jeans while benefiting Project Response. However, the staffs will be collecting supplies for the agency all month long. Items needed can be found at https://www.peru.edu/senates/list. Anyone can deliver items to the north entry-level of CATS building on campus. Those outside the College can contact Ted L. Harshbarger @[email protected] or 402-872-2380 to arrange for pick-up.
 
National Denim Day: Wednesday, April 29
Join President Hanson and wear jeans with a purpose, support survivors, and educate yourself and others about sexual assault on Denim Day, April 29th. This event was to be held in conjunction with the planned "Walk a Mile in Her Shoes" activity. This will also be the day the "Talk It-Walk It!" video will be released. Share selfies on social media using #SAAM #DenimDay #Cats4Consent #C4C
 
Chalk the Walk for SAAM
 
Any time during April, get creative and get outside to chalk the walk for SAAM. Show us your best SAAM sidewalk chalk art with #SAAM #C4C #Cats4Consent
 
Use these messages provided by SAAM:

  • April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month
  • Support survivors during Sexual Assault Awareness Month
  • Consent is a Skill. You get better as you practice
  • Consent is a normal and necessary part of sex

 
Bobcat women's basketball player Maddy McPhillips (Omaha), the community service chair for the Peru Association of Student-Athletes (PASA), is coordinating the efforts for the athletic department. The junior psychology major stated, "I'm extremely excited to get our April Sexual Assault events going. I thought it would be tough to make all the events digital, but in the end I think it will be really neat to see how all Bobcats can come together to make a difference from a distance!"
 
ABOUT SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH
Since 2001, NSVRC has coordinated the national Sexual Assault Awareness Month campaign observed every April.
 
ABOUT NSVRC
 
The National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) is the leading nonprofit in providing information and tools to prevent and respond to sexual violence. NSVRC translates research and trends into best practices that help individuals, communities and service providers achieve real and lasting change. The center also works with the media to promote informed reporting. Every April, NSVRC leads Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), a campaign to educate and engage the public in addressing this widespread issue. NSVRC is also one of the three founding organizations of Raliance, a national, collaborative initiative dedicated to ending sexual violence in one generation.