April 04, 2013
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Coach Cat asked for consent before enveloping this unidentified Lake Forest student into what appears to be a bone-crushin...
Students, faculty, and staff learned about the importance of giving and seeking consent during last week’s kick-off to Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
More than 100 consensual hugs were shared among students, faculty, and staff during the lunch hour on April 1. It was just one of the activities that the Health and Wellness Center planned to kick off Sexual Assault Awareness Month. In addition, that day 84 students, faculty, and staff took a pledge of non-violence, and community members distributed dozens of thank-you cards to their peers and colleagues.
“Lake Forest College has a strong commitment to fostering a campus environment that supports the dignity and safety of all of its members,” explained Jennifer Jeziorski-Fast, assistant dean of students and director of the Health and Wellness Center. “However sexual misconduct/sexual assault is an issue that many community members are not sure how to define, how to recognize, or how to intervene when it happens.”
Some faculty used last week’s kick-off as an opportunity to talk to students about consent, according to Jodi Ceroky, program coordinator in the Office of Intercultural Relations and one of the week’s lead organizers. “We also heard and witnessed students passing on hugs in hallways, and people receiving kind words via text and tweets,” she said.
“The programming for this month is intended to promote awareness and education on how to effectively give consent for sexual activity, to have happy and healthy relationships, and to encourage all community members to participate in preventing violence on our campus,” said Jeziorski-Fast.
You can find out about all the events planned for Sexual Assault Awareness Month at the Health and Wellness web page.