How kNOw MORE is tackling Sexual Assault Awareness Month at FSU
The program seeks to ‘support, respond, and prevent’ sexual assault on college campuses
So far this year we’ve celebrated Black History Month, Women’s History Month, and now that April has rolled around, it’s time for Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). This month, kNOw MORE at FSU works to spread the conversation, support survivors, and educate others on proactive and reactive steps they can take to end sexual assault.
FSU’s kNOw MORE program does just that, right here on our own campus. The mission is to “support, respond, prevent,” not only making efforts to support survivors, but encouraging others to be active bystanders in potentially dangerous situations.
The organization is also a great resource to get further information and help if you or a friend has been sexually assaulted at FSU. In the spirit of SAAM, kNOw MORE has teamed up with It’s On Us — a national organization and campaign that works to bring an end to sexual assault — to create several events and platforms throughout the month to work towards these ambitious goals.
Today, the group tabled at the Integration Statue on campus to engage students in conversation about a culture of healthy relationships instead of a “rape culture” that has become prominent among college students. Some activities at the table included writing messages of support to survivors, which were sent to the Victim Advocate program on campus, self care goodie bags with tea and Epsom Salt, and teal ribbons to wear this month and represent SAAM. The kNOw MORE Student Advisory Board was also there to take It’s On Us pledges, where people pledge to create a culture of consent and do their part in preventing sexual assault in any way they can.
The tabling event was a huge success, and it’s only the second week of April! There are several upcoming events and panel discussions in honor of SAAM, but Take Back the Night is a much larger event encompassing FSU, FAMU, and TCC participants.
This event will give survivors a space to share their personal stories and how their assault has affected them. This is a great opportunity to learn about students’ experiences with sexual assault and help create a safer campus culture that supports others and holds our schools accountable for these actions.
Take Back The Night is April 13th, 2018 from 6PM to 9PM at Doug Burnette Park. Come listen, support, learn, and make a difference!