DSU/Community Team up for Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Tuesday, March 31st, 2015 As part of a communitywide effort to observe Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the Dixie State University SAFE Committee is hosting a panel discussion that will raise awareness of sexual violence. The conversation is set to take place from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 9, in Gardner Ballroom B on the Dixie State campus, and the community is encouraged to attend. "It really takes a community to come together to stop sexual assault. Sexual Assault Awareness Month is just one avenue to do so," Dr. Cynthia Kimball Davis, Dixie State Title IX and Clery Act Compliance director, said. "By bringing together sexual assault campus and community experts, we can all learn better not only how to prevent it, but provide resources when it occurs." Dixie State President Dr. Richard "Biff" Williams will kick off the inaugural event and Davis will provide remarks throughout. During the panel's presentation, attendees will have the opportunity to learn about community and campus organizations that reach out to survivors of sexual assault. Additionally, time will be turned over to audience during a question-and-answer session. The panel of professionals will consist of representatives from community organizations including the Children's Justice Center, DOVE Center, Erin Kimball Foundation, Specialized Abuse Treatment Center, St. George Police Department's Victim Services Unit, and Washington County Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Coalition. In addition, delegates from Dixie State campus resources such as the Campus Police, Health and Wellness Center, and Women's Resource Center will be involved. Spanning the 30 days that make up April, Sexual Assault Awareness Month was first observed in the U.S. in 2001. As part of the observation, communities nationwide rally together to host events that educate residents about sexual violence, teach prevention, and support survivors. According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, rape, incest, child sexual abuse, intimate partner violence, sexual exploitation, human trafficking, unwanted sexual contact, sexual harassment, exposure, and voyeurism are all forms of sexual violence. Sexual violence occurs when someone is forced or manipulated into unwanted sexual activity without their consent. For more information about the panel discussion, contact Davis at 435-652-7731 or ckdavis@utahtech.edu.