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April 17, 2006 Contact: Charmaine Daniels at (207) 893-7723 or e-mail cdaniels@sjcme.edu

Sexual Assault Awareness Week activities planned

Saint Joseph's College will hold Sexual Assault Awareness Week starting Monday, April 24, with events planned each day through Friday, April 28.

On Monday April 24, a panel discussion will feature representatives from several agencies talking about the protocol for handling sexual assault incidents. The panel features Lt. Don Foss of the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office; Polly Campbell, a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner; Amy Adams, a Sexual Assault Response Services advocate and Family Crisis Center advocate; and Rebecca Towne, a security officer at Saint Joseph's College. The talk takes place at 7 p.m. in Room 128 of Alfond Hall.

On Tuesday, April 25, Mainely Men Against Violence will present a lecture titled "Rape and Sexual Assault Awareness: What Every Man Should Know." The presentation features the stories of two men discussing how childhood sexual abuse and rape have affected them and their loved ones, with a focus on how men can support women who have been assaulted. The event takes place at 7 p.m. in the Student Lounge of the Alfond Center .

"Let's Talk About It," a national touring event featuring two women who share their first-hand experience with date rape, will take place Wednesday, April 26 at 9 p.m., in the George Auditorium at Alfond Hall. The speakers will talk about how women can prevent sexual assault as well as cope with its reality if it does happen.

On Thursday evening, April 27, a Take Back the Night Rally on campus is scheduled for 7 p.m. by the grotto outside Alfond Hall. The event will feature a candlelight vigil, a march around campus, empowering music and speeches and an open mic for sharing personal experiences. The week will conclude with the Take Back the Night Rally in downtown Portland at 8 p.m. Two vans to transport Saint Joseph's students to the rally will be leaving campus at 7 p.m.

During the entire week, the second floor lounge of Alfond Hall will display "The Silent Witness Project," which has red, wooden silhouettes portraying women and their stories of sexual assault. The installation is open for viewing from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.

All events are free and open to the public. For more information, call 893-7723.