Campus events kick off Sexual Assault Awareness Month

The 155 red flags flying around campus represent the Baker students who will be physically or emotionally abused in their lifetime.

These flags, a part of the Red Flag Campaign, are to promote awareness about sexual harassment, and will promote bystander intervention.

Two student symposiums will take place this week to promote bystander intervention and self-empowerment. On Tuesday, there will be a GaDuGi presentation at 9 p.m. in McKibbin Recital Hall.

GaDuGi Safe Center is an empowerment-based organization located in Lawrence, and serves the Douglas and Jefferson County area. The presentation will consist of discussion and interactive activity about consent, assumptive touch and enthusiastic consent.

On Wednesday, Baker Rallies against Violence will host a student symposium at 9 p.m. in McKibbin Recital Hall. All students have the opportunity not only to listen to scheduled performers, but also to participate in an open mic session to speak out about sexual assault and violence, body image, health relationships and self-empowerment.

“Even though we’re a small school, things like sexual assault and harassment happen,” BRaV member Liz Jordan said. “If we’re not talking about it, there’s like not a way to solve the problem, and we want everyone to live in a safe community where they feel comfortable. I think it’s important so that people are educated so they know what’s happening so they can prevent it from happening and just make it a better, safer community to live in.”

Other events are scheduled throughout the month of April for Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

The Tunnel of Oppression will take place 10 a.m.-5 p.m. April 22 in the Irwin Hall basement. It provides an immersive experience into scenes of different types of oppression, including ability, class, body image, immigration, homophobia, genocide, religious oppression, relationship violence and race.

A Night of Social Justin with Cody Charles will be hosted at 9 p.m. April 23 in McKibbin Recital Hall. Charles serves as the associate director for academic enrichment programs in the office of multicultural affairs at the University of Kansas and will discuss topics of diversity and social justice through oppression.