April gatherings at WSU to bring awareness to sexual assault
OGDEN, Utah – Weber State University is doing its part to bring awareness to sexual assault issues with various events including the Take Back the Night rally and march and Start by Believing Day.
“Every April, we recognize Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and we work every day to prevent and respond to violence on our campus,” said Paige Davies, Women’s Center director. “We hope to bring awareness to effective prevention strategies, resources for help and how to support survivors.”
Weber State’s Take Back the Night rally and march will take place 6–9 p.m. on April 4 at The Monarch, located at 455 25th St., Ogden. The event has been held globally on college campuses since the 1980s, aiming to support survivors of sexual assault and unite community members with rallies, marches, candlelight vigils and opportunities for survivors to share their stories.
Events continue on April 5 with Start by Believing Day in the Shepherd Union Atrium from 12:30–2:30 p.m. The event allows participants to unite as part of a global campaign and share their support for survivors of sexual assault. Participants are invited to stop by, connect with the campus community, learn more about the Women’s Center, and take a photo with the Start by Believing Day graphic, which can be shared on social media using the #startbybelieving hashtag.
Other activities include a screening of the film “The Bystander Moment: Transforming Rape Culture at its Roots” and an event for students to meet up and create their own self-care kits before finals week. Times and locations for each event are available on the Women’s Center sexual assault awareness website.
“Utah has rates higher than the national average for sexual assault and rape, and we know this impacts the daily lives of many in our Weber State community,” Davies said. “We hope to bring community and light to survivors as they navigate living and long-term healing.”
Kennedy Jones, Marketing & Communications
801-626-7948, kennedyjones1@weber.edu- Contact:
Bryan Magaña, public relations director
801-626-7948, bryanmagana@weber.edu