Sonoma State University will be hosting multiple events to educate and bring awareness to sexual assault prevention this month.
During the month of April, students can participate in Sexual Assault Awareness Month, with events aimed at supporting sexual assault survivors and making students feel more comfortable discussing sexuality and sexual assault.
“Sexual Assault Awareness Month events help students understand what sexual violence is and how it impacts people’s lives,” said Britnie Hopkins, a Title IX representative at Sonoma State. “With this knowledge, students are more equipped to make positive choices in their own sexual interactions, to recognize concerning or violent behavior, and they can identify the resources that are available if someone is affected by sexual violence.”
On April 3 and 4 at Salazar Plaza, students can decorate and hang a T-shirt for the “Clothesline Project,” a display meant to bring awareness to the issue of violence against women. For women who have been affected by violence, it is a means of expressing their emotions by decorating a T-shirt, with the intention of honoring survivors and acting as a memorial for victims. For more information on the events, visit Seawolf Living.
Sonoma State now has a Confidential Advocate who can provide support, victim outreach and assistance with decision-making to SSU students who are impacted or victimized by disruptive or disturbing life events, including sexual assault and harassment. Counseling and Psychological Services also provides emergency drop-ins Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for students who have recently experienced traumatic events. Students also may visit Title IX for further information on reporting sexual assault, harassment and discrimination. For crises related to sexual assault, call Verity, Sonoma County’s Rape Crisis and Trauma Center, at (707) 545-7273. For immediate response, call Sonoma State Police Services at (707) 664-4444, 911 or the Sonoma County Crisis Line at (707) 576-8181.
Full Sexual Assault Awareness Month schedule
| Date | Event | Location |
| April 2, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. |
Sexual Assault Awareness Month #IAskYouAskSSU day of action |
Seawolf Plaza |
| April 2, 12-1 p.m. |
Understanding Military Sexual Trauma feat. North Bay Vet Center |
Student Center Bennet Valley Room |
| April 3, 10 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. | Clothesline project | Salazar Plaza |
| April 3, 6 p.m. | It's a Guy Thing: Hookup Culture, Consent and Masculinity | The HUB, Student Center 2nd Floor |
| April 4, 10 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. | Clothesline project | Salazar Plaza |
| April 16, 12-1:30 p.m | HUB check in on Sexual Awareness Month | The HUB, Student Center 2nd Floor |
| April 18, 5 p.m. | Sexuality and Disability: Every Body's Sexy | The HUB Cultural Center |
| April 23, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. |
I Ask/We Ask Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Denim Day Tabling |
Seawolf Plaza |
| April 24, 7 p.m. | Take Back the Night | Student Center Ballroom A |