Division of Student Affairs > Events > Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM)

About Events Clothesline Project Sexual Misconduct Survey 

Sexual Assault Awareness Month

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. 

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.

Students who complete the survey will have the opportunity to enter a drawing to win a variety of items including Nike backpacks, Yeti water bottles, Blue Demon Dining vouchers, and more. 

2025 survey coming soon

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 Exhibition 2025: How to Participate

Step 1: Pick up a t-shirt.
  • Go to Office of Health Promotion & Wellness (Lincoln Park Student Center, Suite 302) 
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 Monday April 21. 
  • Go to Office of Health Promotion & Wellness (Lincoln Park Student Center, Suite 302) 
Step 4: Attend the Clothesline Project Exhibition. 
  • Date/Time: Tuesday, April 22 from 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. 
  • Location: Lincoln Park Student Center, Atrium
  • Register on DeHUB. 

SAAM Events for April 2025

We welcome you to stop by any of our information tabling events during Sexual Assault Awareness Month: 

April 1: School of Continuing and Professional Studies

April 2: The Theatre School 

April 7: College of Education 

April 8: College of Law 

April 9: School of Music 

April 10: Schmitt Academic Center (SAC) 

April 15: College of Communication 

April 21: The Quad at Lincoln Park Campus 

Date/Time: Thursday, April 3 from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. 

Location: Cortelyou Commons 

Description: DePaul PPGA is proud to host Briana Hansen, the creator of “Sex Rules.” A seasoned educator, entertainer and sexual assault survivor, Briana Hansen wanted to create an alternative to existing programs that felt smarter, more conversational, and significantly more playful than what was currently in the market. Cutting her teeth for decades in touring with her own comedy, educational presentations, and interactive leadership and communication programs, she combines all of those backgrounds in Sex Rules. Her passion for personal advocacy, healing, and empowerment are engaged to inspire participants to walk away feeling more confident, connected, and invested in themselves and their individual communities.

Register on DeHUB. 

Date/Time: Friday, April 4 from 3 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Location: Lincoln Park Student Center, Room 312

Description: A workshop that empowers and equips participants with the knowledge and skills to effectively assist in the prevention of sexual and relationship violence. 

Register on DeHUB. 

Date/Time: Thursday, April 17 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Location: Lincoln Park Student Center, Room 314AB and Zoom

Description: The Office of Health Promotion & Wellness and Office of Gender Equity are facilitating a workshop for DePaul faculty about how to support student survivors of sexual violence. Engage in discussions about supporting a student who discloses sexual or relationship violence and how to navigate the Title IX reporting process.

Light beverages and breakfast will be provided.

In-person and Zoom options are available. Please select the corresponding ticket when confirming attendance. Zoom links will be sent at 9 a.m. on April 17.

Faculty may register on Eventbrite. 

Date/Time: Wednesday, April 23 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Location: Lincoln Park Student Center

Description: The DePaul community will create chalk artwork outside the Student Center to spread awareness about Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

Register on DeHUB. 

Date/Time: Wednesday, April 23 from 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Location: Lincoln Park Student Center, Atrium

Description: Millions of people across the world wear denim to support survivors and educate themselves and others about sexual violence. More info at denimday.org. 

Date/Time: Thursday, April 24 from 5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Location: Lincoln Park Student Center, Atrium and the Quad

Description: Take Back the Night is a time to join with others to speak out against sexual violence, empower survivors and foster community solidarity. We strive to make visible the multiple forms of sexual violence as they intersect with racial, homophobic, transphobic, xenophobic, ableist systems of oppression, and to recognize that all people—women, men, queer, trans, and gender nonbinary can be survivors, perpetrators, witnesses, bystanders, resisters, and healers in sexual violence. This year, we invite you to participate in a march through campus, storytelling, speak out, and community support circles.