Four ways Mount Mary recognizes Sexual Assault Awareness Month
An unblinking look at sexual assault on campuses, advancing justice issues on a national level, and discussing students' rights
April is sexual assault awareness month - a time to raise public awareness about sexual violence and to educate communities on how to prevent it. Here are four ways Mount Mary recognizes Sexual Assault Awareness Month:
1. Student and employees take an unblinking look at sexual assault on college campuses
Guests from the Milwaukee District Attorney's Office will join Mount Mary students and employees for a screening and discussion of The Hunting Ground, a documentary about the shocking reality of sexual assault on college campuses. "Mount Mary offers a safe space to talk about sexual assault, harassment, and other gender-based crimes, and gives community members the resources to support survivors and advocate for change" says Sarah Olejniczak, Dean for Student Affairs.
2. Denim Day: wearing jeans with a purpose
"Ask me why I'm wearing jeans." You will see this statement on a sticker on Mount Mary students and staff wearing jeans on April 27. Denim Day was started because of a Supreme Court case in which a rape charge was dismissed and the perpetrator released because "the victim wore very, very tight jeans." She had to help him remove them, and by removing the jeans it was no longer rape but consensual sex. Mount Mary recognizes Denim Day to support survivors and educate others about sexual assault.
3. Human trafficking in Milwaukee
The facts and challenges around human trafficking in Milwaukee will be discussed in a panel discussion and video presentation from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 26. The panel will include Chandra Cooper from Gratefulgirls.org, a local organization designed to support and educate young women between the ages of 12 and 25.
4. Alpha Lambda Epsilonis the only student organization representing women's colleges in the U.S.
Alpha Lambda Epsilon is the American Criminal Justice Association, founded in 1937 to promote ethical and academic excellence in criminal justice fields. For Mount Mary women, membership opens up a large and deep network of connections from all parts of the justice system; law enforcement, prosecution, defense, courts and corrections.
"We are the nation's ONLY chapter from a women's University. We reinvigorated the commitment to the organization with nine new members," said Rachel Monaco-Wilcox, advisor to Mount Mary's chapter. Members can attend national and regional conferences, get free training, receive scholarships, and find job opportunities all over the world through the membership network.
