In the United States, April is nationally recognized as Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). During this month, individuals, organizations, and communities are called upon to raise awareness for sexual violence and promote methods for prevention. EIC, in collaboration with other Drexel departments and organizations, is building a robust calendar of events for April 2023.
This page will be updated through March with additional events, including workshops, information sessions, a clothing drive, and more, so be sure to check back.
All Month Long
Art Exhibition: Sexual Assault through the Eyes of Survivors and Allies, hosted by the sisters of Alpha Sigma Alpha
Rush Building, 3rd floor
Through the month of April, take a moment to visit a showcase raising awareness to sexual assault. The exhibition, featuring a variety of art forms such as digital art, poetry, paintings and more, highlights stories from the sisters of Alpha Sigma Alpha about being a survivor, a sister and a witness of sexual assault. The sisters of Alpha Sigma Alpha stand with their sisters and with all Survivors.
Tuesday, April 4
Teal Tuesday: Raise Awareness (11 a.m.-3 p.m.; Lancaster Walk and Mario Statue)
Join EIC as they show support for Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Stop at one of the tables on Lancaster Walk or by the Mario Statue to grab a teal ribbon and support awareness of sexual violence in our communities, our country, and our world. Remember: It’s impossible to help stop an issue without raising awareness the issue exists.
Wednesday, April 5
SAAM Day of Action (12-4 p.m.; Lancaster Walk and Korman Quad, behind LeBow)
Get ready for action! Join us on Lancaster Walk or the Korman Quad to learn more about the events going on in April for Sexual Assault Awareness month. Plus, grab your teal, SAAM t-shirt and show your support in raising awareness of sexual violence. Quantities limited.
Tuesday, April 11
Teal Tuesday (11 a.m.-3 p.m., Lancaster Walk)
Join the sisters of Sigma Psi Zeta and EIC to learn more about being an active bystander towards sexual violence in our Drexel and Philadelphia communities. Stop by the table wearing your teal ribbon and you’ll not only receive a small token of appreciation, but you’ll be entered into a raffle for a $25 gift card!
Postponed: Check Back Later for Details
Demystifying Sexual Misconduct: Understanding the Process and Being a Support (6:30-8 p.m.)
In this workshop, EIC will discuss Drexel’s Title IX process and the legal process for sexual assault/sexual misconduct as well as help with gaining perspective on a person’s journey post-assault. EIC will explore how to respond to disclosures and how to best support individuals after reporting. This workshop will benefit and provide a framework for those looking to work, or have the potential of working, with survivors of assault in a professional but compassionate setting. Please note that this session allows for open discussion and Q&A.
Zoom Link (Drexel credentials required)
Thursday, April 13
Cup of Prevention at Greek From Greece (8 a.m.-5 p.m., 107 N 33rd St)
Throughout April 13, SECRET (Sexual Exploration and Comfort in Restorative Educational Training) and Greek from Greece will be hosting a Cup of Prevention fundraiser for WOAR (The Philadelphia Center Against Sexual Violence). Ten percent of all coffee proceeds will be donated, and all donations will be matched.
Letter in a Bottle With SECRET and Drexel Active Minds (8 a.m.-5 p.m., 107 N 33rd St)
SECRET (Sexual Exploration and Comfort in Restorative Educational Training) is hosting a “Letter in a Bottle” activity with Active Minds at Greek From Greece, in which students and faculty can come and write a personal message to their future self's and encapsulate the letter to be broken open years down the line. This is a reflection activity that can be done in groups or independently.
Tuesday, April 18
Teal Tuesday (11 a.m.-3 p.m., Lancaster Walk)
Join Drexel Student Athletes and EIC as they show support for Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Stop by to grab a t-shirt and learn more about making boundaries and stating consent. Plus, share how YOU enthusiastically say “Yes!”
Thursday, April 20
Toxic Masculinity Round-Table Discussion (6:30-8 p.m., MacAlister Sky Lounge)
SigEp is joining forces with Drexel’s SECRET to lead a student-oriented program about toxic masculinity. SECRET will facilitate round-table discussions for male-identifying students to get a chance to discuss how experiences with toxic masculinity and the roles toxic masculinity plays in sexual violence. This is a safe and open event where all voices matter! SigEp and SECRET aim to spread the message that the fight is not students versus other students; it’s all students versus sexual violence. By educating and supporting a healthy environment, students can begin to change the culture and create a safer campus for all Drexel students.
April 23-April 30: PSARC Clothing Drive
Hosted by Fraternity and Sorority Life, the Greek Week Committee, Residence Life and EIC
The Philadelphia Sexual Assault Response Center (PSARC) is a not-for-profit center established to meet the forensic and medical needs of sexual assault victims in Philadelphia. PSARC is the only location for patients aged 16 or older to receive 24/7/365 emergency medical care and evidence collection following an acute sexual assault in the city. On average, over 400 patients are seen annually, and patients often come from neighboring counties to be treated. Patients are provided care, assessment, evaluation, and forensic services—regardless of their cooperation with law enforcement—by a group of experienced, specially trained, compassionate nurses. To assist with the care of sexual assault victims, PSARC and the Drexel Greek Week Committee are asking the Drexel community for the following donations to support patients:
- Sweatpants (all sizes, but especially M-3XL, unisex)
- Plain undershirts (all sizes, unisex)
- Plain sweatshirts (all sizes, unisex)
- Packages (new) of basic underwear (all sizes, unisex)
- Packages (new) of basic sports bras (all sizes)
- Tampons, hygiene pads, panty liners
- Bath wipes
- Uber/Lyft ride gift cards
PSARC humbly requests that any donations of pre-owned clothing are washed as there is no access to laundry on site, and that any pre-owned clothing is in usable condition with careful consideration for any graphic imagery. If you would prefer to make a monetary donation to assist with the increasing cost of care, including comprehensive medications legally required to be offered to SANE patients, administrative operations, or adequate nursing compensation, please contact psarc@drexel.edu.
Boxes will be available in all residence halls, the EIC Office (bottom floor of the Academic Building, 33rd and Arch), and the Drexel Student Health Center (34th and Market, across from the DAC) during the last week of April.
Tuesday, April 25
Teal Tuesday (11 a.m.-3 p.m., Lancaster Walk)
Come talk Denim Day with EIC! Denim Day is Wednesday, April 26. Stop by to grab a Denim Day ribbon, learn more about what Denim Day is, how it’s helped bring awareness to sexual violence, and how YOU can help spread that awareness in a simple yet impactful way on the 26th. Wear your teal, SAAM t-shirt and be entered into a raffle for a $50 gift card!
Wednesday, April 26
Denim Day (1:30-6:30 p.m., Lancaster Walk Quad behind Rush Building)
Denim Day is a campaign held during Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The campaign began after a ruling by the Italian Supreme Court where a rape conviction was overturned because the justices felt that since the victim was wearing tight jeans, she must have helped the person who raped her remove her jeans — thereby implying consent. On this day, we wear denim in solidarity as a visible means of protest against the misconceptions that surround sexual violence. Wear your jeans and bring your own denim, or any article of clothing, and join us on the Quad to tie-dye teal!
Thursday, April 27
Poetry Slam (6:30-8 p.m., Perelman Center)
SECRET and Drexel Women’s Empowerment will host a poetry slam open to Drexel Students and Faculty. There will be a sign-up sheet for those who want to present poems or speeches along the topic of sexual violence. During the event, donation boxes will be available to bring clothes and non-perishables to WOAR (The Philadelphia Center Against Sexual Violence). After the poetry slam, there will be music and resources around the building and everyone is welcome to write letters to victims of sexual violence that will also be donated to WOAR.
Friday, April 28
Pie a Frat Boy (2-5 p.m., Lancaster Walk)
Join the brothers of Lambda Alpha Upsilon and Sigma Beta Rho as they work to raise awareness about sexual assault in our community. Help them raise money for the Philadelphia Sexual Assault Response Center (PSARC), Philly’s only 24/7/365 facility for emergency medical care and forensic exams for sexual assault victims. Kindly make a donation to PSARC and pie a brother (or two, or three) of your choice! To learn more about PSARC, visit their website or read about it during the PSARC Clothing Drive.