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2021 Clothesline Project
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April Marks Sexual Assault Awareness Month

April 4, 2022

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MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – About one in five college-aged female survivors received assistance from a victim services agency, and 23.1 percent of TGQN (transgender, genderqueer, nonconforming) college students have been sexually assaulted, according to RAINN.org (RAINN: Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network). As April is recognized as Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), WIU's Office of Equal Opportunity and Access, along with the WIU Multicultural Center and the Western Illinois Regional Council-Community Action Agency Victim Services (WIRC-CAA), has programs and events planned to raise awareness of sexual assault.

"It is beyond time to stand up and speak out against sexual assault. While April is designated as sexual assault awareness month, it is our responsibility each and every day to report assault and harassment, and to provide resources and support to survivors," said Paul Frost, WIU College Student Personnel graduate student and WIU Office of Equal Opportunity and Access (EOA) graduate assistant, who is coordinating this year's events.

Events include:

Monday, April 11, noon-2 p.m.: #ItsOnUs Social Media Campaign. Visit the WIU Photography Studio in Tillman Hall 207 to take a photo with a message showing support for survivors of sexual violence.

Tuesday, April 12, 9-11 a.m.: #ItsOnUs Social Media Campaign. Visit the WIU Photography Studio in Tillman Hall 207 to take a photo with a message showing support for survivors of sexual violence.

Tuesday, April 19, 11 a.m.-noon: Clothesline Project t-shirt design session, WIU Multicultural Center. In conjunction with the WIRC-CAA, the WIU Multicultural Center and WIU Women's Center, will host the t-shirt making event for the annual Clothesline Project, which will be held on campus Wednesday, April 20.

Tuesday, April 19, 5-6 p.m.: Healthy Relationships presentation, Union Sandburg Theatre. Western Illinois Regional Council (WIRC) Victim Services Advocate Mariah Huston will discuss healthy relationships and warning signs of unhealthy, and dangerous relationships. A Clothesline Project design event will also be held in during this program.

Wednesday, April 20, 10 a.m.-noon: The Clothesline Project, WIU Multicultural Center. The display is a tribute to victims and survivors of sexual and domestic violence. The shirts decorated at WIU are added to the Victim Services' Clothesline Project collection for display throughout April, which is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Month, in the five-county region served by WIRC-CAA.

Thursday, April 21, 2-4 p.m.: Stand Up Against Sexual Assault Campaign, with WIU Intercollegiate Athletics, Western Hall. Show your support for survivors by campaigning with WIU Athletics.

Thursday, April 21, 5-6:30 p.m.: Title IX Panel Discussion/Reception, Union Grand Ballroom. Learn more about Title IX and listen to a panel discussion regarding rape culture.

Monday, April 25, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.: Kinder Monday event sponsored by EOA, University Union Terrace. Make stress balls with EOA staff and learn more about on and off campus resources.

In addition to SAAM programs, EOA will also be celebrating the 50th anniversary of Title IX. According to Frost, WIU's commitment to equity for female students, faculty and staff dates back to the 1920s when Ruth Glasgow, the director of physical education at Western Illinois State Normal School, developed the first female track team and organized the Women's Athletic Association in the 1920s.

"For centuries, women have spoken out against discrimination, and have demanded equality. Fifty years ago, their voices were heard," Frost added. "Many people hear Title IX and automatically think of athletics, which is certainly a part of the Title IX Education Amendment; however, Title IX extends far beyond equity in athletics and serves to protect all students, faculty, and staff, regardless of their identified gender and orientation, in the classroom, in the workplace and more."

Known as the ""Godmother of Title IX," Bernice Sandler fought for women's rights in education. After being denied equal access to teaching jobs at her university, Sandler took matters into her own hands. In addition to starting a social revolution for women's rights, she became the first woman ever appointed to a Congressional committee to work specifically on women's issues.

For more information, contact Frost at (309) 298-1977 or email PL-Frost@wiu.edu.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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