Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) begins in April. During SAAM, different groups and organizations hold events to raise awareness for and acknowledge the impact that sexual assault has on those within our and other communities. A Speak out, which will be hosted on Denim Day (Wednesday, April 24), is an annual event with the mission of ending sexual, relationship, and domestic violence in all forms. The Speak out allows victims and survivors of gender-based violence and intimate-partner violence the space to share their experiences and/or pieces of writing or art to empower themselves and raise awareness of the issue in a supportive, “off-the-record” environment.

 Anyone is welcome to share their experiences. If you wish to participate, please reach out to either Abbigail McMillian or Haley Mangette (contact information included at the end of this post). Due to the nature of this subject, there is also the option for survivors to anonymously share their experiences to be read out. You can submit your pieces at Anonymous Submissions.

We will also be offering a series of confidential writing workshops that offer a safe and mediated space to put their experiences into words. Check out @kc_s.p.e.a.k on Instagram for more information.

If you have any questions, please contact Abbigail.McMillian20@kzoo.edu (student) or Haley.Mangette@kzoo.edu (staff member). 

Thank you for your time.