In observation of April as Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, offices and departments at Arcadia University announce the following lineup of events and programming. If you are interested in attending any of the programming in person, please RSVP for COVID protocol tracking purposes. 

Monday, April 5: Blind Date With a Book
Not That Bad: Dispatches from a Rape Culture by Roxanne Gay 
11 a.m. -4 p.m., Commons First Floor
Pick up a free copy of Roxanne Gay’s “Not That Bad” in the Commons Chat and join us for a book discussion at the end of the month with Dr. Dina Pinsky, coordinator of Gender and Sexuality Studies. “Not That Bad” is an anthology of first-person essays from writers including Gabrielle Union, Brandon Taylor, and Lyz Lenz tackling rape, assault, and harassment. Gay collects original pieces that address what it means to live in a world where women have to measure the harassment, violence and aggression they face, where they are “routinely second-guessed, blown off, discredited, denigrated, besmirched, belittled, patronized, mocked, shamed, gaslit, insulted, and bullied,” for speaking out.

Book discussion will focus on two to three essays within the book. Pickup will be in the Commons Chat between 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.  

Monday, April 5 and Monday, April 12: Consent ROCKS!
11 a.m. -4 p.m., Commons First Floor
One year ago Arcadia University kicked off its first official Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention month with Consent ROCKS! Join us this year on Haber Green or in the Commons Chat to create a rock with your message of consent on it, find a creative place to leave it and help us leave messages about consent all over campus and in your own community. Prizes will be awarded for the Most Creative Design, Best Message, and Most Creative Placement. Not on campus? No problem! Go outside, find a rock to decorate, and tag us (Insta: AU_svpe) to be entered to win! Rocks can be decorated and entered all month long.

Friday, April 9: On the Record Documentary Screening
Haber Green, 7:30-9:30 p.m.
(Rain date: April 10)
Directed and produced by Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering (“The Hunting Ground”), “On the Record” presents the powerful story of high-ranking music executive Drew Dixon (collaborator on hit records by Method Man and Mary J. Blige, Estelle and Kanye West, and Whitney Houston) as she grapples with her decision to become one of the first women of color in the wake of #MeToo to come forward and publicly accuse hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons of sexual assault.

Friday, April 16: Open Mic/Art Night
6-9 p.m., First Floor of Commons
Join the GoodKnights Peer Educators along with other student clubs to share a night of creativity and speaking truth to power dedicated to creating space for survivors of sexual violence or those otherwise impacted by it. Bring your art, your poetry, your prose, your music, or any other medium to share with attendees. Some food and drink will be provided. A Zoom room will be open and projected for those not on campus and/or not comfortable attending or performing in person.

April 22: Ask An Advocate
7-7:30 p.m.
Ever wonder what a day in the life of a sexual violence advocate looks like? Now’s your chance to ask! Join our campus partner Victim Services Center of Montgomery County as they make two of their advocates available to answer any and all of your questions. Questions will be able to be submitted anonymously and the event will be held via Zoom and Facebook live. Registration is necessary. To do so, please visit victimservicescenter.org/events/what-is-our-why.

April 28: Denim Day
11-3 p.m., Commons Chat/Haber Green
Denim Day began after a ruling by the Italian Supreme Court where a rape conviction was overturned because the justices felt that since the victim was wearing tight jeans she must have helped her attacker remove them, thereby implying consent. The following day, the women in the Italian Parliament came to work wearing jeans in solidarity with the victim. Since then, what started as a local campaign to bring awareness to victim blaming and the destructive myths that surround sexual violence has grown into an international movement. Join us on Haber Green or at the Commons Chat to learn more about Denim Day, victim blaming, and how to prevent it, and create your own denim patch to stand in solidarity with all victims who have ever been told that they were to blame. 

April 28: Blind Date With a Book Discussion
Not That Bad: Dispatches from a Rape Culture by Roxanne Gay 
6-7:30 p.m., Fireside Lounge
Pick up a free copy of Roxanne Gay’s “Not That Bad” and joining us for a book discussion at the end of the month with Dr. Dina Pinsky, coordinator of Gender and Sexuality Studies. “Not That Bad” is an anthology of first-person essays from writers including Gabrielle Union, Brandon Taylor, and Lyz Lenz tackling rape, assault and harassment head on. Roxanne Gay collects original pieces that address what it means to live in a world where women have to measure the harassment, violence and aggression they face, where they are are “routinely second-guessed, blown off, discredited, denigrated, besmirched, belittled, patronized, mocked, shamed, gaslit, insulted, and bullied,” for speaking out.

Book discussion will focus on 2-3 essays within the book.

April 29: Take Back The Night
6 p.m.
Universities and colleges from throughout the region will host a collaborative, supportive space for survivors of sexual assault, intimate partner violence, sex and gender-based harassment, and stalking and their allies. Survivors are invited to submit their stories and/or artwork and give voice to the complexities, struggles, and triumphs of healing in the wake of sexual violence. Participants should keep in mind that this event is public when they are deciding what, if any, personally identifying information of individuals to include.