A rainbow of colors depict a group of people outlines. The words Sexual Assault Awareness cicle it in black. A teal ribbon is in the center of the circle.
Logo design created by UMaine Machias student, Becca Young

UMaine Machias events planned for Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month in April

March 30, 2023 News

Machias, Maine — In April, the University of Maine at Machias, in partnership with AMHC’s Sexual Assault Services and NextStep Domestic Violence Project, will hold events to raise awareness and prevention about sexual assault.

The National Sexual Violence Resource Center‘s 2023 theme, Drawing Connections: Prevention Demands Equity, “calls on all individuals, communities, organizations, and institutions to change ourselves and the systems surrounding us to build racial equity and respect,” according to the center’s website.

In America, every 68 seconds someone is sexually assaulted, according to the Rape Assault Incest National Network (RAINN). One out of every six women has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape in her lifetime, and one out of every 10 rape victims are male. For TGQN (transgender, genderqueer, nonconforming) college students, 21%  have been sexually assaulted, compared to 18% of non-TGQN females, and 4% of non-TGQN males.

UMaine Machias Sexual Assault Awareness Month events:

April 3–30  — The Clothesline Project will be displayed in Merrill Library. Displayed in April (Sexual Violence Awareness Month) and October (Domestic Violence Awareness Month), the Clothesline Project is a visual display that bears witness to people who have experienced sexual and relationship violence. During the public display, a clothesline is hung with shirts. Each shirt is decorated to represent a particular person’s experience, by the survivor or someone who cares about them.

April 20 — The Take Back the Night Rally/March will begin at 6:30 p.m. in room 102 of the Science Building. This worldwide event is an effort to end sexual violence, support survivors and remember those who have died as a result of sexual violence. The event involves educating attendees about the history of Take Back the Night, sexual assault statistics and support services available for those who have been sexually assaulted. The speak-out portion of the rally offers survivors of violence the opportunity to give voice to their experiences. The march helps raise awareness in communities through the use of signs, t-shirts, chanting and other means of communication. The candlelight vigil is to remember those who have lost their lives to sexual violence.

The march will follow the rally leaving from the Science Building, proceeding to the Machias Chamber of Commerce (across from Helen’s Restaurant) and conclude with a candlelight vigil at the Bad Little Falls park.

These events are open to the public. For more information about these events or to request reasonable accommodation, call 207.255.1343.