UW-River Falls office works to raise awareness about sexual assaults

Three events in April meant to bring attention to issue, support victims

March 30, 2023 - Three upcoming events organized in part by the University of Wisconsin-River Falls Student Health and Counseling Services Office are designed to raise awareness about sexual assaults and provide support for victims as part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April. 

Student Health and Counseling Services (SHCS) will host two of those events, which will occur on the UWRF campus, and support another in the community.

The first event, Take Back the Night, occurs from 4-8 p.m. on Thursday, April 6, at the Glen Park Pavilion, 630 Glen Park Road, River Falls. This sexual assault survivor-centered event aims to promote awareness and provide healing for victims. It is put on in conjunction with Hudson-based St. Croix Valley Sexual Assault Response Team and Turningpoint, an organization that supports victims of sexual and domestic violence. Food, activities, and local resources provided.

Then, on Wednesday, April 19, sexual assault survivor and activist Abby Honold of Minnesota will speak about her work to address sexual assaults, including federal legislation to financially support trauma-informed training for law enforcement officers. The event is from 7-8 p.m. in Riverview Ballroom in the UWRF University Center, 501 Wild Rose Ave., River Falls.

The third event, Denim Day, is intended to raise awareness about sexual assaults and is set for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 26, in the University Center lobby. UWRF students will staff a table to speak with passersby and offer resources available through SHCS. For more information about Denim Day, visit denimday.org. 

“Take some time out of your busy April to access these valuable awareness and educational events,” said Faith Velez, violence prevention coordinator with SHCS. 

Additional awareness about sex assaults is needed, said Velez, a 2021 UWRF graduate. Statistics show one of every six women in the U.S. has been sexually assaulted as a child or adult. Experts say sexual assault figures are artificially low because many of those assaults are not reported to authorities.

For more information, contact Velez at faith.velez@uwrf.edu or 715-425-3938.