The Women’s Resource Center and their allies make ending sexual violence a year-round effort.The month of April, nationally recognized in 2001 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month, provides WRC coordinators and other activists an opportunity to expand the conversation against violence. At Portland State, several organizations team up each year to provide a month packed with events that integrate entertainment, education and action to raise sexual assault awareness.
The Vanguard has compiled a calendar of events with the help of the WRC coordinators. Also included are the campus events celebrating the end of Women’s History Month. Participating organizations include YWCA Portland, Campus Recreation, Campus Public Safety, as well as the PSU Multicultural, Native American, Disability, Students with Children and Queer Resource Centers.
March 29
Reflections Unheard: Black Women in Civil Rights
6:30–9:30 p.m.
Multicultural Student Center
Smith Memorial Student Union, room 228
Learn about the contributions of black women to the civil rights movement through the stories of activists engaged in the march toward change.
Reflections Unheard will explore how these personal stories unfolded in the backdrop of social justice conversations often dominated by men and white feminism, and the reaction of women of color to unite for equality.
March 30
No Más Bebés
3–4 p.m.
Women’s Resource Center
Montgomery Hall basement
WRC facilitators will lead a discussion about the history of Puerto Rico as a place of experimentation in the sterilization of women in the 1930s and ’40s by United States-funded programs. Facilitators also welcome visitors to join a subsequent Gender Justice Action Team meeting to follow at 4 p.m.
March 31
Beyonce’s Visual Album and Formation Video
12–2 p.m.
Women’s Resource Center
Montgomery Hall basement
The WRC will close Women’s History Month with a presentation of Beyonce’s Visual Album and Formation video.
April 5
Sexuality and the Generations
5:30–7:30 p.m.
Women’s Resource Center
Montgomery Hall basement
Participants in this workshop will discuss the formation and maintenance of healthy relationships with a focus on inclusivity and autonomy.
April 12
Zumbathon
7–9 p.m.
Campus Rec Center
$5 suggested donation. PSU or Alumni Association ID required, and government-issued photo ID for guests.
Campus Rec and the WRC team up to host PSU’s first Zumbathon. Instructors will assist visitors in multiple dance styles. Event proceeds go toward providing shelter for victims of domestic violence. PSU attendees are welcome to invite up to three guests, with the Rec Center guest fee waived for the Zumbathon event.
April 13
SASS(y) Hour: Know Your Rights: Sexual Violence Legislation 101
12–1 p.m.
Women’s Resource Center
Montgomery Hall basement
A monthly workshop on sexual violence prevention hosted by the Student Alliance for Sexual Safety. April’s workshop will focus on sexual violence legislation.
April 19
YWCA Sexual Assault Dynamics
1–4 p.m.
YWCA
1111 SW 10th Ave.
Learn about the impact and causes of sexual violence, the nature of perpetrators’ choice of victims, and the effect of privilege, class and oppression on sexual violence scenarios.
Survivor Speak-Out
6:30–9 p.m.
Women’s Resource Center
Montgomery Hall basement
A community-building event with survivors invited to tell their personal stories and share experiences.
April 21
Giant Volleyball
7–9 p.m.
Campus Rec Center
PSU or Alumni Association ID required for attendance
Play volleyball with an oversized ball in promotion of Take Back the Night. Campus Rec will also have information available about Take Back the Night.
April 25
Hunting Ground Screening
5:30–8:30 p.m.
Multicultural Student Center
Smith Memorial Student Union, room 228
The Student Alliance for Sexual Safety will host a screening of The Hunting Ground, a documentary about sexual assault on college campuses. The 2015 film includes expert opinions and personal stories as survivors negotiate a system and educational culture often set against them.
April 26
PNW Best Practices Conference
9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Smith Memorial Student Union
Faculty & Staff Event
The PNW Best Practices Conference is a day-long event focused on misconduct prevention and response, scheduled to run in tandem with Take Back the Day.
Take Back the Day Symposium
9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Smith Memorial Student Union
A day-long collection of events focused on students engaged in the struggle against gender-based violence. The symposium will feature keynote speaker Dr. Treva Lindsey, assistant professor of women’s, gender and sexuality studies at Ohio State University.
Take Back the Night
5:30–9:30 p.m.
Smith Memorial Student Union
Students of PSU engage with the greater Portland community in the WRC’s annual Take Back the Night. Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha will join as keynote speaker. The WRC’s largest event aims to empower survivors while educating allies about sexual violence within the PSU and greater Portland community.
Calendar adapted from pdx.edu with help from the Women’s Resource Center
Resources:
Women’s Resource Center: 503-725-5672
Campus Public Safety Office: 503-725-4404
The Center for Student Health and Counseling (SHAC): 503-725-2800
Portland Women’s Crisis Line: 503-235-5333
Queer Resource Center: 503-725-9742
