UTSA Women's Resource Center staff and CURE peer educators with UTSA
Police Department members
UTSA presents sexual assault awareness events
By Melissa Hernandez
Assistant Director, Counseling Services
(April 15, 2009)--As part of Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM), as designated by Gov. Rick Perry, UTSA Counseling Services and the Women's Resource Center will join rape crisis centers across Texas this month in promoting awareness of the issue. Teal is the signature color chosen to commemorate SAAPM events nationwide.
UTSA events include:
- April 2-30:Operation Law Enforcement -- UTSA police will display teal magnets on patrol cars.
- April Awareness displays: Awareness displays will be in various locations on campus such as the library, campus housing and Women's Resource Center.
- April 15: Clothesline Project -- T-shirt decoration and display
- April 22: National Wear Denim Day -- UTSA community members are encouraged to wear denim to enhance sexual assault awareness.
Sexual violence is a form of oppression and is linked to all other forms of oppression. In order to create a world without sexual violence, it is imperative that each of us takes a stand against all forms of oppression -- whether based on gender, age, race or ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity, ability or economic class.
"In order to foster healthy and safe campus, all students must support the effort to end sexual violence every month of the year," said Jessica Muniz, LMSW, sexual assault program coordinator for UTSA Counseling Services and the Women's Resource Center.
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Statistics: Sexual assault
- According to a 2003 study conducted by the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault and the University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work, nearly 2 million Texans have been sexually assaulted. That equals one in five women and one in 20 men in Texas. Unfortunately, fewer than 20 percent of sexual assaults are ever reported to police.
- College-age women are four times more likely to be victims of sexual assault. (Rape, Abuse & Incest Abuse National Network)
- According to the National Center for Victims of Crime, nearly 5 percent of college women are sexually assaulted each year. Additionally, people ages 16-24 are raped and sexually assaulted at rates higher than any other age group.
Resources
- For more information on the WRC or Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month activities, call (210) 458-4140.
- For more information on preventing sexual assault, visit the WRC Web site.
- National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE