The theme of Sexual Assault Awareness Month 2024 is Building Connected Communities, a campaign that helps us reduce the likelihood of sexual abuse, assault, and harassment in our communities. We must strive to create strong, connected communities that take care of one another. Communities that make decisions to ensure the safety and well-being of all members are critical to ending sexual violence worldwide.
We recently had the opportunity to present how to provide Trauma-Informed Care to the medical students in the Colorado Springs Branch of the Anschutz School of Medicine!
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
The Red Flag Campaign grew out of a recognized need to address and prevent sexual assault, intimate partner violence, stalking and harassment at colleges. For more information, see http://www.theredflagcampaign.org/ According to the (National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, 2010-2012 State Report).
Nationally,
1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men experience some form of contact sexual violence in their lifetime;
1 in 6 women and 1 in 19 men experience stalking victimization in their lifetime;
37.3% of women and 30.9% of men experience sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime
You may have seen our red flags surrounding the Fitzsimmons Flag pole. There are over 1200 flags posted to represent a small population at CU Anschutz who have experienced relationship violence. If we were to accurately represent the student, staff and faculty at Anschutz (valued at 19,000 and growing) who have experienced this type of violence, we would need to post
over 7,000 flags.
We encourage you to speak up when you see signs of an abusive relationship. Domestic and sexual violence are silent epidemics that thrive in environments of secrecy and shame. When we remain silent we allow violent language, actions and people to remain the norm. We must confront and openly discuss these issues. Through our voices we have the power to demonstrate that these types of behaviors are not okay. We can use our voices to change our culture. We must not be bystanders, but must speak up when we witness this type of violence within our personal relationships, friendships and within our CU community. Stand up to this behavior. Be an UP-stander.
Not sure what to say? PCA can help.
If you or someone you know has experienced any of the above and you would like more information, please reach out to us.
You are not alone.