Archive: Increasing Awareness about Sexual Violence and Sexual Assault Resources

Hundreds of faculty, staff and students took part in the University of California-wide “Sexual Violence and Sexual Assault Awareness Month” in April. UC San Francisco events were held at its Parnassus and Mission Bay campuses. A partnership among the Office of Diversity and Outreach, Student Health and Counseling, and Student Housing organized UCSF’s events.

Many attendees were eager to learn about the “It’s On Us” campaign, and then took the pledge:

1. To RECOGNIZE that non-consensual sex is sexual assault.
2. To IDENTIFY situations in which sexual assault may occur.
3. To INTERVENE in situations where consent has not or cannot be given.
4. To CREATE an environment in which sexual assault is unacceptable and survivors are supported. 

Each participant received an “I took the pledge” magnet. They then spun a wheel and answered a question that pertained to categories such as myths and facts about sexual assault, history, LGBTQI, gender, rape culture, and campus and community resources.

The questions were designed to foster discussion and to increase awareness about sexual assault and sexual assault resources. After answering a question, each participant won a prize of a Frisbee or mug that contained a “consent is sexy” pen and information about campus services and resources. Some participants also won $5 Starbucks gift cards.

Attendees also received additional information in the form of handouts about reporting and non-reporting options and about sexual assault and interpersonal violence in the LGBTQ community. 

For more internal-facing stories from the UCSF community, please visit Pulse of UCSF.

Related Links

• UCSF’s Sexual Violence Prevention & Response website
• UC's Sexual Violence Prevention & Response website