This month of April marks the 19th anniversary of the observance of Sexual Assault Awareness Month and UTEP will be hosting a series of virtual events intended to promote the advocacy, awareness and prevention of sexual assault.  

Historically, there has been a long line of activists who have fought to eradicate civil injustice and, with the help of their efforts, this nationally recognized month was established and first observed in April 2001. In 2000, the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, in conjunction with the Resource Sharing Project, conducted a poll with sexual violence alliances to determine which symbol, colors and date to designate to their organizational awareness efforts.  

A teal ribbon and the month of April was decided on and the movement persists in its progress today as they continue to reach out to larger audiences.   

UTEP has joined in on these efforts and, as we move forward with maintaining social distance, the following four sexual assault awareness events will be streamed and displayed on various social media platforms.  

1. April 7 will be a “Day of Action: Wear Teal & Virtual Clothesline Project.” For this activity people can post a photo wearing teal and post it using the hashtag #UTEPSAAM. Participants can also virtually design t-shirts featuring uplifting messages to reach sexual assault survivors on Instagram @UTEPCARE.  

2. April 15 is the “Roll Red Roll” documentary showing and watch party coupled with a discussion. The topic of the documentary is on the harmful notion of “boys will be boys” and how these societal constructs permeate and play a part in what gives rise to these behaviors. The link can be accessed at www.utep.edu/care

3. On April 22, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., will be a Sexual Assault Awareness Month Zoom Discussion titled “Relationships 101.” A conversation will be led concerning the dynamics of healthy versus unhealthy relationships. The Zoom meeting can be accessed at the following link: https://uso4web.zoom.us/j/900720031  

4. April 30 is the final installment called “Take Back the Night,” a virtual exhibit featuring outfits worn by sexual assault victims. The art exhibit is fittingly titled, “What Were You Wearing” and can be viewed at https://ohiotoday.org/what-were-you-wearing 

For more information on the events, visit utep.edu/care or email ca[email protected].  

Sasha Minjarez may be reached at [email protected]