April is sexual assault awareness month, and Washburn University is hosting several events to raise awareness and support survivors, with one of these events being Open Mic Poetry. 

“Today’s open mic event is related to Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and it is an opportunity for students, faculty, and staff to share their stories of either being victimized, being a survivor or, in some cases, caring for those who have been victims or survivors,” said Eric Grospitch, vice president for Student Affairs.

He also explained how poetry can help people heal. 

“When you are a victim of an assault, you can look for different ways to heal, and in some ways, the artistry of poetry allows folks to heal by telling their story in such a way that’s meaningful to them and allows them to be more comfortable in sharing those experiences to hopefully prevent somebody else from having a similar experience,” Grospitch said

In addition to the Open Mic Poetry event, Washburn is organizing other activities throughout the month. There is a day where students and staff wear teal, the color for sexual assault awareness. Students also had the chance to write supportive messages on a Washburn University Police Department squad car in an event called Cover the Cruiser.. 

There was bystander training April 10 to teach students how to recognize harmful situations and prevent them. One of the larger events is the candlelight vigil April 17 at 7:30 p.m., organized by the student groupUnited Reproductive and Gender Equity. This event provides a safe space for people to share their experiences. 

In addition, Washburn will host an art night and Denim Day to raise awareness about victim blaming. Denim Day began after a court case in which a woman’s jeans were wrongly seen as implying consent. Participants in Denim Day wear denim to show support for survivors.

Grospitch emphasized the importance of raising awareness, even though he wished it wasn’t necessary. 

“I really wish we didn’t have to. I wish that these experiences weren’t things that anybody had to experience. “It’s important because it’s real, and our students are experiencing this across the country, not just here on campus,”Grospitch said. 

He says if we don’t name it, it makes it okay in some ways. It’s not a victimless crime.”

The Young Women’s Christian Association Center for Safety and Empowerment is also involved in supporting survivors. They provide several services, including a 24/7 support hotline, case management, safety planning, shelter and educational presentations. They help survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, human trafficking and stalking said Lauren Phillips, senior psychology major.

Binx Beelman, a junior majoring in English and addictions counseling with a minor in family and human services, is a member of URGE (United for Reproductive and Gender Equity), one of the student organizations leading efforts during Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

“We are holding a candlelight vigil on April 17 at 7:30 p.m. and we’re going to talk about sexual assault awareness,” Beelman said. “We’ll have a circle, and everyone will be in a safe environment. So people are going to talk out and talk about their experiences or anything that they would like to share.”

Hold holds several events to ensure that survivors are heard and supported not just in April but year round.

Edited by Morgan Albrecht and Jayme Thompson and Jeremy Ford