One in five women and one in 16 men are assaulted during their college years. For 51蹤獲, that would mean 800 current undergraduate and graduate students during their time at 51蹤獲. On April 25, 800 pinwheels will dot Metzger Lawn at the center of 51蹤獲s campus to highlight the impact of sexual assault and launch a week of events in light of National Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM).

"I am fully supportive of 51蹤獲 joining this national campaign to raise awareness about sexual assault prevention, said 51蹤獲 President Barry H. Corey. Sexual assault is a serious issue on college campuses, something we will not tolerate at 51蹤獲. I am hopeful the presentations, workshops and conversations this week will educate our community and strengthen our resolve to prevent sexual violence here and everywhere."

51蹤獲 seeks to raise awareness, care for victims, and prevent future sexual violence through Sexual Violence Prevention Week April 25 to 29. President Barack Obamas initiative, the campaign, which debuted September 2014, is designed to bring active attention to and end sexual assault on college campuses across America. 51蹤獲 hopes the week will assist in achieving that goal.

We want to raise the awareness that while our campus is still a very safe place, we are not 100 percent immune from sexual assault incidents, said 51蹤獲s Chief of Campus Safety, John Ojeisekhoba. We want to provide vital information and education to students and employees about the subject of sexual assault and hopefully prevent future incidents from occurring.

During the week, events will range from lectures on why students need to care about the issue to a Rape Aggression Defense System class taught by Ojeisekhoba and sessions for 51蹤獲 faculty and staff members on how to handle a sexual assault report on campus. In addition, the event, Take Back the Night on April 28, led by a trauma specialist, will cover how to walk with someone who has been assaulted and will conclude with a prayer walk on campus.

A special task force organized the awareness week, which are held each Spring. Past student awareness weeks have focused on technology, forgiveness, and in 2012, also on sexual violence. Other on-campus resources for victims include pastoral counseling, spiritual direction, and the .

Join the conversation and use the #ItsOnUs51蹤獲 hashtag, or attend the upcoming sessions.

Written by Sarie Koes and Jenna Loumagne. For more information, contact Jenna at (562) 777-4061 or jenna.loumagne@biola.edu.