Division of Student Affairs > Events > Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM)

SAAM Image courtesy of the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC)

SAAM Introduction

The month of April is designated as Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) in the U.S. in order to raise public awareness about sexual violence and to educate communities on prevention efforts. The Office of Health Promotion & Wellness organizes and coordinates educational and awareness-building events for the DePaul community in collaboration with numerous campus departments, student organizations, student leaders, and community agencies. Several signature programs are planned during SAAM, and they aim to build understanding on the prevalence of sexual violence on college campuses, consent, rape culture, healthy relationships, safety tips, resources available on- and off-campus, as well as how to effectively respond to and support a survivor. 

Also during SAAM, join us in observing Denim Day with University Counseling & Psychological Services (UCAPS). Denim Day is a campaign to raise awareness about sexual violence and challenge the myths surrounding sexual assault. UCAPS is distributing denim ribbons on Wednesday, April 24, from 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. in the Lincoln Park Student Center. Wearing denim is encouraged!

Sexual Misconduct Climate Survey 

The Sexual Misconduct Climate Survey will be circulated to students via email during SAAM. The Illinois Board of Higher Education’s Task Force on Campus Sexual Misconduct created this survey after learning that 90-95% of survivors choose not to make a report after an incident of sexual misconduct. Specifically in Illinois, 76.9% of universities reported zero cases of sexual violence in 2019. The use of a standardized campus climate survey at all institutions of higher education will allow for higher levels of transparency of actual victimization and perpetration rates and provide actionable data to shape policies to create a safer campus climate throughout the state. 

The 2024 survey is now closed

Note: Students are welcome to complete the survey online or attend an in-person Supportive Survey Event where staff and peers will be present. See schedule below.

Supportive Survey Events (April 2024)

The Office of Health Promotion & Wellness is hosting Supportive Survey Events in the Lincoln Park Student Center, Suite 302:

Date Time Register Here
Tuesday, April 2 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. DeHUB registration link
Wednesday, April 10 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. DeHUB registration link
Tuesday, April 16 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. DeHUB registration link
Wednesday, April 24 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. DeHUB registration link

The Division of Mission & Ministry is hosting Supportive Survey Events in the Interfaith Sacred Space, Lincoln Park Student Center, 1st Floor:

Date Time
Tuesday, April 2 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m
Thursday, April 4 3:30 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Tuesday, April 9 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m
Thursday, April 11 3:30 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Friday, April 12 12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 16 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Thursday, April 18 3:30 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Friday, April 19 12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 23 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m
Thursday, April 25 3:30 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Clothesline Project

The Clothesline Project gives voice to the experiences and impact of sexual violence on survivors and their loved ones. We invite all those impacted by sexual violence to decorate a t-shirt speaking to their experiences and impact—this could include speaking to healing, resistance, anger, support, love, and more. The t-shirts are color-coded to connect with different forms of violence.

The Clothesline Project seeks to break the silence that often surrounds sexual violence, to honor the strength and resilience of survivors, to mourn those we have lost, to support survivors in our lives, and to increase our community's awareness of the impact of sexual and relationship violence.

Clothesline Events (April 2024)

Step 1: Pick up a t-shirt at one of the following locations.

• Office of Health Promotion & Wellness (Lincoln Park Student Center, Suite 302)

• Women's Center Office (Schmitt Academic Center, Suite 150)

• Lincoln Park Student Center tabling every Tuesday

Step 2: Decorate the t-shirt.

• We invite all those impacted by sexual violence to decorate a t-shirt speaking to their experiences and impact.

Step 3: Drop off the t-shirt by April 22 at one of the following locations.

• Office of Health Promotion & Wellness (Lincoln Park Student Center, Suite 302)

• Women's Center Office (Schmitt Academic Center, Suite 150)

Step 4: Attend the Clothesline Project Exhibition

• If you're available, register for the exhibition in DeHUB.

From April 2-22, the Office of Health Promotion & Wellness is partnering with departments all over Lincoln Park Campus to display portions of the Clothesline Project Exhibition shirt collection. You can view each Mini Clothesline Exhibition at the following locations:

• The Ray Meyer Fitness and Recreation Center

• Cultural Resource Centers

• The Theatre School

• DePaul Women's Center

• The John T. Richardson Library

• Office of Health Promotion and Wellness


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