Show your colors: Students are encouraged to stop by the CARE Center in Augustine Hall to pick up a teal awareness T-shirt. / Photo by Ben Enos
Here’s How You Can Support Events Marking Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April
From Denim Day to Take Back the Night, plus community conversations and practical tips, here’s how you can show solidarity in taking a stand against sexual violence.
April 2025 marks the official 24th anniversary of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. This year, the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) commemorates the month by spotlighting a campaign for "Together We Act, United We Change." The sense of shared commitment is front and center: “When our workplaces, schools, and communities work together to uphold safety and respect, we make progress in preventing sexual abuse, assault, and harassment.”
Here on the Saint Mary’s campus, students, faculty, and staff are taking part in a series of events to raise public awareness about sexual violence and educate communities on how to prevent it. Events are led by CARE (Campus Assault Response and Education) and SCAAR (Student Coalition Against Abuse and Rape). Co-sponsors of events throughout the month include the Title IX Support & Compliance Office, the Center for Women & Gender Equity, Counseling & Psychological Services, the Residence Hall Association, Student Wellness Committee, and Peer Advocates for Wellness.
Megan Gallagher directs CARE, and she and members of SCAAR have reached out to students, faculty, and staff to encourage broad participation. “Respect for all persons is central to our Lasallian mission at Saint Mary’s,” Gallagher says. “And building awareness with our community about how to prevent and respond to gender-based violence is one of the vital ways we instill the importance of that.”
On April 10, members of the campus community are encouraged to wear denim as a show of support for survivors of sexual violence throughout the world. On April 11, there’s an opportunity to participate in “Title IX & Beyond at SMC: Community Voices in Conversation.”
The following week, on April 16, members of the Saint Mary’s community come together for Take Back the Night. Along with a light dinner, there will be an open mic opportunity and a candle-lit walk in support of survivors. The following evening, the Kalmanovitz School of Education and the graduate program in Forensic Psychology hosts a conference on sexual assault and awareness. And on April 29, members of the Saint Mary’s community have an opportunity to learn about Green Dot bystander intervention and the Gael Safe App, which includes a number of features to provide peace of mind and help keep members of the campus community safe.
Events on Campus
With an eye toward providing counsel and advice for students as they headed off campus in March, events focused on Sexual Assault Awareness Month included a Club Sports Teal Out weekend and a session in March on “Safe Spring Break,” with tips on healthy relationships and watching your alcohol use. The event was hosted by the Student Wellness Committee.
Here’s what’s coming up in April:
Thursday, April 10 | SMC Denim Day
Beginning 10:30 a.m. | Augustine Hall: CARE Center and Center for Women and Gender Equity
Denim Day is a day of action and awareness in which people are encouraged to wear denim to combat victim blaming and educate others about sexual violence.
10:30 a.m.–12 p.m.: Denim Day Themed Center for Women and Gender Equity Coffee & Connection
12–1 p.m.: “Beyond Victim Blaming” program. Join us for a student-led overview of victim blaming culture and steps you can take to make a difference.
All Day Support: Wear denim to combat victim blaming. Stop by CARE/CWGE between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. for a teal ribbon awareness sticker and post a photo with the hashtag #denimdaysmc.
Friday, April 11 | Title IX & Beyond at SMC: Community Voices in Conversation
1:30–2:30 p.m. | De La Salle Hall: Hagerty Lounge
Spend an hour with us to share your thoughts and ideas on the future of a violence-free campus at SMC. What are your visions for future resources? How do we best move forward in creating a campus culture of respect? Light refreshments will be served.
Wednesday, April 16 | Take Back the Night
6:30–8 p.m. | Begin at Chapel Lawn
Join CARE (Campus Assault Response and Education) and SCAAR (Student Coalition Against Abuse and Rape) for this annual evening event to support survivors of sexual violence. All interested can come to Chapel Lawn for a light dinner, hosted by Saint Mary’s Residence Hall Association, followed by an open mic opportunity and a candle-lit walk in support of survivors.
Thursday, April 17 | Sexual Assault & Awareness Conference
6–8:30 p.m. | De La Salle Hall: Hagerty Lounge
The Kalmanovitz School of Education and Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology host an event to explore sexual assault and present experts working and responding to the needs of victims and survivors. Guests will include treatment providers, law enforcement responders, medical personnel, survivors utilizing their lived experience to support victims and those working to end sexual exploitation and violence.
Tuesday, April 29 | Green Dot and Gael Safe App Overview
12–1 p.m. | New location: Hagerty Lounge
Engage in bystander intervention training and learn more about tools on the Gael Safe App. Green Dot is a bystander intervention training program backed by research and used by colleges nationwide. The goal is to foster a community where violence is not tolerated and everyone does their part to promote a community of care and concern.
One more way students can show support: Stop by the CARE Center (lower level Augustine Hall) throughout the month to pick up a teal awareness T-shirt while supplies last.
Story updated April 8, 2025 at 4 p.m. Pacific to include additional events.
