Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Sexual Assault Awareness Month Heading link
The University of Illinois Chicago joins the nation in observing Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) in April. Though UIC’s 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.
Civic Cinema: Soledad Heading link
Wednesday, April 6, 2022
3-4pm CT
Via Zoom
Details and Registration
Join WLRC’s Campus Advocacy Network and the Latino Cultural Center for a screening and discussion as part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month:
Soledad tells the story of a woman from Central America who fled gang violence and torture to seek asylum in the U.S., only to find herself imprisoned at the Eloy Detention Center. Soledad and a team of women join forces to win her asylum case.
Co-sponsored by the Richard J. Daley Library and student organization Fearless Undocumented Alliance (FUA).
All audiences are welcome.
Auto-captions will be enabled on Zoom. ASL Interpretation services may be available by contacting the Latino Cultural Center 5 business days before the program. For access needs or questions, email lcc@uic.edu or call (312) 996-3095.
The Breathing Room: We Can All Be Advocates Heading link
Friday, April 8, 2022
2-3pm CT
Via Zoom
Details and Registration
Join us in the Breathing Room, a place to unwind, heal, and find community. These casual Zoom drop-in sessions are open to everyone at UIC. We’ll start with the topic at hand and see where the conversation takes us!
April 8: We Can All Be Advocates
How can you support a loved one who has experienced gender-based violence (sexual assault, domestic/dating violence, harassment, stalking, or family abuse)? What can you say or do to let them know you are there for them? This Sexual Assault Awareness Month, join us for a conversation about how to advocate for the survivors in your life while not forgetting about your own safety and wellness. Leave with an expanded toolkit of strategies, information, and campus and community resources for advocacy and healing. Come as you are – no prior experience or knowledge required!
CART live captioning will be provided. Please send any questions or access requests to wlrc@uic.edu.
Presented as part of the Wellness Center‘s Take Care of Our Flames initiative.
Sex & Chocolate Heading link
Monday, April 18, 2022
1-3pm CT
East Campus Quad – Lecture Center Plaza
Stop by our table to play some trivia on pop culture, media, and life!
Learn about healthy sexual practices; leave with free treats and contraceptives!
Feminist Page-turners: Our Bodies Are Not an Apology Heading link
Thursday, April 21, 2022
2:30-3:30pm CT
Via Zoom
Details and Registration
Join WLRC’s Campus Advocacy Network, UIC Disability Cultural Center, and UIC Dialogue Initiative for a conversation about Sonya Renee Taylor’s book, The Body Is Not An Apology, centering radical self-love as a tool for dismantling violent systems. We will talk about ways that we can reclaim joy in our bodies; unlearn body shame; and heal from ableism, racism, and gender oppression. We invite you to spend an hour with us celebrating how we can construct a more equitable and compassionate world.
CART live captioning will be provided. Please send any questions or access requests to wlrc@uic.edu.
How to get the book:
We encourage you to read the book before our meeting, but you are welcome to attend no matter how much or little you have read. The discussion will offer opportunities to engage around quotes and questions that are open to all.
UIC students can pick up hard copies of the book at the Office of the Dean of Students (1200 W. Harrison St., 3030 SSB). Electronic copies are also available from the UIC Library: full book and workbook. If you need help accessing the text, please email wlrc@uic.edu.
Denim Day Heading link
Wednesday, April 27, 2022
5-6:30pm CT
EIEP Office, SEL-East 2063
Details and Registration
WLRC, Women in Engineering Programs (WIEP), Women in Computer Science (WiCS), Society of Women Engineers (SWE), and GradSWE invite all UIC community members to an evening of crafting and conversation.
We’ll learn about the history of Denim Day and anti-violence movements and talk about healing and self-love while decorating denim squares and making denim bracelets. You can take your creations with you or add them to a quilt that will be displayed in the Equity and Inclusion in Engineering Programs (EIEP) office.
Masks are required for the safety of all in attendance.
Art supplies will be provided. Donations of clean jeans/denim are greatly appreciated! Drop off at the EIEP office (Science and Engineering Labs East, Rm. 2065).
Past Events Heading link
FEMINIST FILMS: NO! THE RAPE DOCUMENTARY
Tuesday, April 16, 2019, 4-6pm
Location TBA
Join us for a screening of this groundbreaking film that explores the international atrocity of rape of cisgender women by cisgender men, and other forms of sexual assault through the first person testimonies, scholarship, spirituality, activism, and cultural work of Black people in the United States.
Hosted by UIC Women’s Leadership and Resource Center. Co-sponsored by UIC Department of African American Studies and SISTERS.
Light refreshments will be provided. Please call (312) 413-1025 or email can.wlrc@gmail.com to request accommodations.
Past Events: Take Back the Night Heading link
TAKE BACK THE NIGHT
Thursday, April 18, 3-5pm
UIC Quad
Join us in solidarity with survivors of sexual assault as we empower one another through conversation, storytelling, and resource-sharing.
Sponsored by Planned Parenthood Generation Action, in collaboration with UIC Women’s Leadership and Resource Center, Feminists United, Porchlight, Resilience, and In.Power (Howard Brown Health Center).
ART AND HEALING WITH R.C. RILEY
Thursday, April 18, 6-8pm
African American Cultural Center, Addams Hall, 830 S. Halsted St.
Join us after Take Back the Night for an evening of continued reflection and community building around sexual assault prevention, featuring artist R.C. Riley.
Dinner will be provided. Please call (312) 413-1025 or email can.wlrc@gmail.com to request accommodations.