The college will run two showings of a 30-minute video, titled “'Stop Sexual Violence: Listen and Lead,” which features interviews with sexual assault survivors, Thursday, April 9 at 11 a.m. and again at 4 p.m. The events will also include resources and materials, and counselors will be available. According to a 2007 survey at 14 Minnesota colleges and universities, more than one in five female college students reported that they had experienced an actual or attempted sexual assault. Nationally, estimates have shown the ratio as high as one in four female students while at college. “We're hoping students and community members who attend will leave with increased awareness and motivation to address the issue of sexual assault among our students and across Anoka County," says college Counselor, John Hennen. More About Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM)
SAAM began in 2000 as an initiative to raise public awareness about sexual violence, specifically sexual assault and rape, and to educate communities and individuals about how to prevent sexual violence. In April 2008, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty signed an agreement making April Sexual Assault Awareness Month in Minnesota. The organizers of SAAM believe that by working together and pooling resources during the month of April, sexual violence can be shown as a major public health issue and prevention efforts can be initiated. More About the Video
The video, “Stop Sexual Violence: Listen and Lead,” a collaborative effort by the MN Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Twin Cities Public Television, includes interviews with four survivors of sexual assault, three female and one male. Each speaks about their assault experiences, their healing and specifically individuals and community resources that helped them. There is also information about social change education and prevention efforts currently under way in Minnesota, and suggestions as to how Minnesotans can become personally involved in prevention. The video is 30 minutes in length and was shot in Minnesota. For more information about the Sexual Assault Awareness event at Anoka-Ramsey Community College, contact Hennen at 763-433-1234 or john.hennen@anokaramsey.edu. |