Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) and Safer are partnering to host “It’s On Us” week from April 4-7 to kick off sexual assault awareness month.
“It’s On Us” week is about changing how students view sexual assault on campus, ASI Vice Chair on Board of Directors Jana Colombini said.
“It’s basically a more empowering event that is encouraging others to change the culture of sexual assault and making an environment in which sexual assault is not tolerated and doesn’t exist,” Colombini said.
Safer will be coordinating with ASI for the entire week of events. In addition to this week, Safer will put on educational and awareness events throughout the month, Safer student assistant and journalism sophomore Kelly Jacobs said.
“We’re grateful that ASI is passionate about ending sexual assault and raising awareness on our campus,” Jacobs said.
Each day will be focused on a different word of the “It’s On Us” pledge that students are encouraged to take:
- To RECOGNIZE that nonconsensual sex is sexual assault.
- To IDENTIFY situations in which sexual assault may occur.
- To INTERVENE in situations where consent has not or cannot be given.
- To CREATE an environment in which sexual assault is unacceptable and survivors are supported.
RECOGNIZE
Monday is dedicated to recognizing that sexual assault is a problem on campus and informing students about the “It’s On Us” pledge. ASI will have a booth in the Julian A. McPhee University Union (UU) Plaza from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for students to learn about sexual assault at Cal Poly and empower them to make a change.
IDENTIFY
Tuesday is focused on informing students about situations in which sexual assault generally occurs. Members of greek life will have a photo booth for students to take their picture with an “It’s On Us” logo to demonstrate their stand against sexual assault.
INTERVENE
Wednesday is focused on bystander intervention and how to intervene in situations that could lead to sexual assault. Alpha Gamma Rho (AGR) will be providing a free barbecue to students who take the “It’s On Us” pledge. Also Cal Poly Athletics and club sports will set up booths about bystander intervention at Dexter Lawn.
CREATE
Thursday will be focused on creating an environment where sexual assault doesn’t exist. Safer, greek life, Athletics and club sports will participate in the UU Plaza from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“Throughout ‘It’s On Us’ week and Sexual Assault Awareness Month as a whole, students will learn how prevalent sexual assault is, the importance of consent, how to help survivors and be an active bystander,” Jacobs said. “It’s about coming together as a community and starting a conversation that will support survivors through their healing process and help to build a more informed, supportive community that has no tolerance for sexual assault.”
ASI hosted its first “It’s On Us” week last year where it had more than 770 students sign the pledge.
“Last year was a very eye-opening experience with how many students came together to make a culture change,” Colombini said. “We are hosting these events so that we won’t have sexual assault as a problem at Cal Poly, and we won’t have to hide it as a problem because it won’t exist.”