Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM)
April marks the 20th anniversary of Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). For the past 20 years, the month of April has been used by social agencies, colleges and universities, and other organizations to increase public awareness about sexual violence and educate individuals and communities around sexual violence prevention. As we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic in conjunction with the vaccine roll-out, we want to keep the same level of hope and optimism that we can also work together to end sexual violence.
We hope you'll join our School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) community in recognizing SAAM during the month of April by participating in any of the events listed below. Each program presents an opportunity for further education, awareness, and growth regarding how each of us can confront and help end sexual violence. The SAAM Committee invites everyone to join us as we continue to work collaboratively in creating and maintaining a culture of mutual respect, equality, and safety and a community that is free from sexual violence.
SAIC does not tolerate any form of sexual misconduct, including sexual assault and rape. To learn more about SAIC’s policies and resources, please visit our Stop Sexual Violence webpage.
Decorate Your Virtual Space and Say “No More”
Virtual Event
This year’s SAAM event list kicks off with our Decorate Your Virtual Space event for the month of April. Please join SAIC in saying “No More” to sexual misconduct by including the SAIC Says No More logo in your email signature. In addition to our annual “No More” campaign, this year we have added other ways to decorate your virtual space by using SAAM-themed Zoom backgrounds and other social media graphics that can be used to decorate your Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram space. Here's an example of how you can incorporate the logo into your email signature:
SAAM Grab-N-Go Table
In-person Event
Help spread SAAM awareness when you stop by the LeRoy Neiman Center and pick up an individually wrapped bag of treats, resources, and other SAAM-related information from 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. on April 1, or stop by the SAAM table in your respective residence hall from 5:00–6:00 p.m.
SAAM Virtual Pop-Up Library and Book Display
Virtual and In-person Event
The SAAM Committee is pleased to share that once again, SAIC community members can use the SAAM Virtual Pop-Up Library and Book Display to discover relevant resources from the John M. Flaxman Library. Explore online or make an appointment to see a selection of items in person.
Updated Sexual Assault Awareness Month Resource Page
Virtual Resource
Are you seeking assistance from local community resources? Visit our Stop Sexual Violence webpage to access our updated community resource list and information for survivors of sexual violence.
Wear Teal Day
Virtual Event
Join SAIC on Tuesday, April 6, in commemorating SAAM by wearing your favorite teal garment for national Wear Teal Day.
How to Support a Survivor Workshop
Virtual Event
Join our How to Support a Survivor workshop on Tuesday, April 13, at 4:30 p.m. CT. SAIC is partnering with Elizabeth Meyer of Greenlight Counseling Services, who will be sharing information and answering questions regarding the best ways to support a survivor and form ties of allyship. Click here to join on Zoom.
Holding Restorative Space for Ourselves Workshop
Virtual Event
Join the art therapy team from Resilience on Thursday, April 22, at 4:30 p.m. CT. In times of uncertainty and unpredictability, we can all benefit from setting aside time for our bodies to complete the stress response cycle and move into restoration. For this experiential workshop, we will share neurobiologically informed information about the body’s capacity to regulate following stress or trauma, validate our human needs for relative safety and connection, and give ourselves permission to be in process. Students are invited to bring any materials they feel comfortable creating with (e.g., paint, clay, fibers, writing, or even breath) as we explore these concepts through an intentional and embodied art-making practice. Click here to join on Zoom.
Denim Day
Virtual Event
Help SAIC close out SAAM by wearing denim on Thursday, April 29. SAIC invites all students, faculty, and staff to wear denim as a visible means of protest against the misconceptions that surround sexual violence. In addition, please post a selfie of yourself adorned in your favorite denim attire on the social media platform of your choice using #DenimDaySAIC. Click here to learn more about why we wear denim on this day.
Thank you for your commitment to raising awareness, educating yourselves and others, and preventing sexual violence.
Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) Committee
Robert Babcock, Ed. D., Title IX Coordinator
Dio Aldridge, Special Assistant to the Dean
Sharon Cobbins, Human Resource and Title IX Administrative Coordinator
Betsy Katschke, Residence Hall Director
Laura Lamb, Director of Campus Life
D. Lance Lockett (Chair), Deputy Title IX Coordinator
Lawrence Rodriguez, Director of International Affairs
Teresa Sit, Mental Health Promotion Specialist and Art Therapist
