Sexual Assault Awareness & Prevention Month

A list of events in white text on a teal gradient background. At the top is a teal awareness ribbon with the UIC circle logo and
A list of events in white text on a teal gradient background. At the top is a teal awareness ribbon with the UIC circle logo and "Sexual Assault Awareness Month" on top of it in white. Behind this are images from various event posters.

UIC joins the nation in observing Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAM) in April. Though the Women’s Leadership and Resource Center focuses on the prevention of sexual violence and other forms of interpersonal violence throughout the year,  SAAM is an opportunity for us to reflect on the work of our center and the larger UIC community.

Through our Campus Advocacy Network program, we have witnessed an increase in conversation and action throughout the university. Faculty and staff are engaging in dialogues within their departments about sexual violence, harassment, and discrimination. Undergraduate and graduate students are spearheading much of the discourse, through student organizations and campus activism. Seeing this growth on campus encourages us to continue supporting the activism of survivors, concerned students, and their allies. We applaud those who share our sense of urgency to address sexual violence and invite you to partner with us in this endeavor.

Please join us this month and beyond to learn how to support survivors, understand bystander intervention, and create a culture of care and action.

Dreaming Up a Violence-Free Campus
Monday, April 6

CupShup: Baat Pakki. Now What?!
Wednesday, April 8

Fetishized: Book Talk with Kaila Yu
Thursday, April 9

On the Rocks
Tuesday, April 14

HEALS: Survivor Skill-Building: Completing an Impossible Task
Thursday, April 16

Sex Ed After Dark: Sex Toy Bingo & Trivia
Tuesday, April 21

HEALS: “Shame Must Change Sides”: Navigating Sexual Violence and Domestic Abuse in the Media
Thursday, April 23

HEALS: Standing Silent Witness
Friday, April 24

Queer Stories: I Used to Be Funny
Tuesday, April 28

HEALS: May Day: Celebrating Survivor Labor
Thursday, April 30

Light blue silhouettes of various UIC campus buildings with hearts and sun rays rising from them. Above them is
Light blue silhouettes of various UIC campus buildings with hearts and sun rays rising from them. Above them is "Dreaming Up a Violence-free Campus" in black block and cursive lettering with colorful, elegant flowers woven between and through the letters. Below them are details about the event (same info on this page).

Dreaming Up a Violence-Free Campus

Monday, April 6
1-2:30pm
Women’s Leadership and Resource Center, 1700 SSB

What does a campus free from sexual violence, abuse, and harassment look and feel like? Join us for an afternoon of artmaking and imagining the possibilities for a kinder, safer UIC.

No art skills necessary! Come hang out in a relaxed atmosphere where you can draw, collage, color, and make buttons and stickers, all while dreaming of a better world.

Lunch and art materials provided!

At the bottom are three couples of various gender identities in various South Asian wedding outfits, with a grassy field beneath them. At the top is a yellow, orange, and pink flower garland. In the center is
At the bottom are three couples of various gender identities in various South Asian wedding outfits, with a grassy field beneath them. At the top is a yellow, orange, and pink flower garland. In the center is "CupShup: Baat Pakki. Now What?!" in pink letters and details about the event (same info on this page) and another couple.

CupShup: Baat Pakki. Now What?!

Wednesday, April 8
1-2:30pm
Women’s Leadership and Resource Center, 1700 SSB

Join us for the next CupShup workshop on building healthy, intentional relationships! Through games and fun activities, we will explore topics such as consent, boundaries, and communication within romantic, friend, and family relationships.

While the conversation will center on South Asian/South Asian American experiences, the event is open to people of all cultures, identities, and gender identities and expressions.

Hosted by the UIC Asian American Student Academic Program, UIC Women’s Leadership and Resource Center, and Apna Ghar.

The cover of _Fetishized_, which features a black and white photo of author Kaila Yu from the chest up, looking at the camera. Below that are two sets of hands holding open books. To the right of the images are details about the book talk event (same info on this page).
The cover of _Fetishized_, which features a black and white photo of author Kaila Yu from the chest up, looking at the camera. Below that are two sets of hands holding open books. To the right of the images are details about the book talk event (same info on this page).

Fetishized: Book Talk with Kaila Yu

Thursday, April 9
5:30-7pm
Daley Library, Room 1-470 & Zoom

Join us for a special event with debut author Kaila Yu as she discusses her book, Fetishized: A Reckoning with Yellow Fever, Feminism, and Beauty.

The event will be held in person and online via Zoom:

If you have any access needs or questions, please email lib-engage@uic.edu.

Co-sponsored by the UIC Library Undergraduate Engagement Program, UIC Asian American Resource and Cultural Center, UIC Global Asian Studies, UIC Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution Initiative, UIC Women’s Leadership and Resource Center, Great Lakes Asian American Student Services, and Chinese American Museum of Chicago.

Three people climbing up ice cubes and a lemon wedge in a tall drink glass with a straw inside it. Behind the glass are silhouettes of people's faces. Above and below are details about the On the Rocks event (same info on this page).
Three people climbing up ice cubes and a lemon wedge in a tall drink glass with a straw inside it. Behind the glass are silhouettes of people's faces. Above and below are details about the On the Rocks event (same info on this page).

On the Rocks

Tuesday, April 14
3:30-6:30pm
Student Recreation Facility

Gather for a night of mocktails, music, and climbing while building community and supporting women at UIC! All students, faculty, and staff and all skill levels are welcome, and gear is provided. Come climb, relax, and enjoy time together in a welcoming space.

Co-hosted by UIC Recreation & Wellbeing and co-sponsored by Sodexo Magic and UIC Dining Services.

A list of four events on a light blue background. At the top is
A list of four events on a light blue background. At the top is "HEALS Community for Survivors of Sexual & Domestic Violence" in white text on a purple background, with a white heart and a teal awareness ribbon to its left.

HEALS: Survivor Skill-Building: Completing an Impossible Task

Thursday, April 16
3-4pm
Zoom

Are you working on something that feels impossible–finishing a paper, sending an email, or scheduling a doctor’s appointment? Join HEALS for a skill-building session on why tasks can feel paralyzing for survivors and strategies for getting unstuck.

HEALS: Healing for Engagement, Action, & Leadership by Survivors is a drop-in gathering space for UIC students who have experienced gender-based violence (domestic/dating violence, sexual assault, harassment, stalking, and family abuse) and those who support them.

A series of sex toys on a bingo card, with details about the Sex Toy Bingo event below.
A series of sex toys on a bingo card, with details about the Sex Toy Bingo event below.

Sex Ed After Dark: Sex Toy Bingo + Trivia

Tuesday, April 21
6-7:30pm
242 ARC

Come play Sex Toy Bingo and Sex Ed Trivia! We’ll chat about building healthy sexual relationships and give away sex toys, condoms, Plan B, and other prizes.

Learn how consent and communication make intimacy more fun and fulfilling. Don’t miss a night of laughter, learning, and free goodies!

Co-sponsored by Fraternity and Sorority Life and Campus Housing.

A list of four events on a light blue background. At the top is
A list of four events on a light blue background. At the top is "HEALS Community for Survivors of Sexual & Domestic Violence" in white text on a purple background, with a white heart and a teal awareness ribbon to its left.

HEALS: “Shame Must Change Sides”: Navigating Sexual Violence and Domestic Abuse in the Media

Thursday, April 23
3-4pm
Zoom

It can be hard to focus–let alone heal!–amidst the constant barrage of violence in the media. Join us to process ways that gender-based violence shows up in our feeds, learn coping skills, and recenter survivors’ voices.

HEALS: Healing for Engagement, Action, & Leadership by Survivors is a drop-in gathering space for UIC students who have experienced gender-based violence (domestic/dating violence, sexual assault, harassment, stalking, and family abuse) and those who support them.

A list of four events on a light blue background. At the top is
A list of four events on a light blue background. At the top is "HEALS Community for Survivors of Sexual & Domestic Violence" in white text on a purple background, with a white heart and a teal awareness ribbon to its left.

HEALS: Standing Silent Witness

Friday, April 24
12-1pm
Daley Plaza

Join us at Standing Silent Witness, Resilience’s signature event for Sexual Assault Awareness Month. In this powerful visual demonstration of the silencing of survivors of sexual violence, participants will gather silently for one hour at Daley Plaza, wearing t-shirts adorned with messages and stories protesting sexual violence and rape culture. At the end of the hour, we will break the silence and hear directly from survivors.

To travel with us to Daley Plaza, meet at the Harrison & Morgan bus stop in front of BSB at 11:30 AM, and we’ll take the #60 Bus traveling east.

We also invite you to stop by WLRC from April 20 to 24 to make a poster or t-shirt before the event.

HEALS: Healing for Engagement, Action, & Leadership by Survivors is a drop-in gathering space for UIC students who have experienced gender-based violence (domestic/dating violence, sexual assault, harassment, stalking, and family abuse) and those who support them.

UIC students, staff, and faculty are welcome!

The face of actor Rachel Sennott, shown looking up, with her hair blowing wildly in the wind. At the top is
The face of actor Rachel Sennott, shown looking up, with her hair blowing wildly in the wind. At the top is "Feminist Films" in large grey text. At the bottom are details about the event.

Queer Stories: I Used to Be Funny

Tuesday, April 28
6-7:30pm
JST Event Center

Join us for a screening of I Used To Be Funny! Come for snacks and conversation, and stay for the  queer-centered community space. All UIC students, staff, and faculty are welcome!

Co-sponsored by Campus Housing.

 

A list of four events on a light blue background. At the top is
A list of four events on a light blue background. At the top is "HEALS Community for Survivors of Sexual & Domestic Violence" in white text on a purple background, with a white heart and a teal awareness ribbon to its left.

HEALS: May Day: Celebrating Survivor Labor

Thursday, April 30
3-4pm
Zoom

May 1st is May Day! Take a break from finals to lift up yourself and other survivors’ work, advocacy, and leadership.

HEALS: Healing for Engagement, Action, & Leadership by Survivors is a drop-in gathering space for UIC students who have experienced gender-based violence (domestic/dating violence, sexual assault, harassment, stalking, and family abuse) and those who support them.

Previous Sexual Assault Awareness & Prevention Month Events