Students, faculty and staff of Linfield University sent a four-word message to survivors of sexual assault Monday, April 4: “You are not alone.”
Kelsey Murray, Linfield’s coordinator of student wellness and survivor advocacy, distributed nearly 250 teal t-shirts kicking off a series of events planned for Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. Participants span the McMinnville and Portland campuses.
“Sexual assault survivors often feel alone in the community. I wanted the first event to send a visible message that we stand with them,” Murray said.
The series builds to two spotlight events in the latter part of April.
On April 18, the Wildcat community will join others worldwide in the Take Back the Night campaign. Beginning at 6 p.m., sexual assault survivors can share their experiences on stage in the Richard and Lucille Ice Auditorium and then participate in a campus march and candlelight vigil with additional story-sharing.
“There are still women struggling against the view that they shouldn’t go out at night,” Murray said. “Take Back the Night works to reassert women’s rights to live their lives without a threat of violence.”
The final event of the month will be Sex in the Dark on April 26. Health professionals, sex positive advocates and others will answer anonymous questions from the attendees beginning at 6 p.m. in the Fred Meyer Lounge.
Other events happening during Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month are:
- A social media awareness campaign on April 6 in which students will post selfies of themselves holding signs with their best move to end sexual violence (9 to 11:30 a.m. in the Fred Meyer Lounge).
- Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and Henderson House hosts their eighth annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes® event at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 9 in Linfield’s main academic quad.
- Students can grab some French fries and ketchup alongside information about healthy relationships at “Consent Ketchup” between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 12 in Dillin Hall. The event is a partnership between Sodexo and Linfield.
- “Is it #Love or #NotLove,” a passerby event from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, April 14 in the Fred Meyer Lounge. Participants will help decorate a display with the qualities and traits the signify healthy and unhealthy relationships.
Murray, who works in the Student Health, Wellness and Counseling Center, is also part of larger university-wide programs that support students experiencing challenges with mental health, academics, social and interpersonal conflicts or balancing life commitments both on- and off-campus. Murray’s work as a confidential advocate requires earning the trust of survivors and highlighting the often-difficult conversations around sexual violence and consent raises awareness about the resources available to students on both Linfield campuses.
“We have the resources and the people who want to help and support students through these experiences,” Murray said. “We want to remind them that they are not alone.”
Resources:
- Linfield University Safety and Support – edu/safety
- Student Health, Wellness and Counseling Center – 503-883-2535 or SHLT@linfield.edu
- Linfield Care Team – care@linfield.edu or 503-883-2353
- Portland campus support resources (counseling center, emergency help, Student Life)
- National Sexual Assault Hotline 1-800-656-4673 or via online chat at rainn.org/online
- Linfield Public Safety – lps@linfield.edu
McMinnville: 503-883-SAFE (7233)
Portland: 971-369-4200 - In case of emergency, dial 911. For non-emergencies, contact:
McMinnville Police: 503-434-6500
Portland Police: 503-823-3333
