Take Back the Week

For decades, San Diego State University has been working to combat sexual violence and assault, while creating a culture that supports victims and survivors. There are a number of educational opportunities and resources available on the San Diego State campus year-round regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape. The month of April is designated as Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and SDSU is hosting a weeklong series of events to provide additional programs and resources to engage the campus in dialogue around rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment. 

Take Back the Week is a collaboration between student organizations and academic departments to spread awareness about issues surrounding sexual violence and to offer survivor support and resources. Programs offered during SDSU’s fifth annual Take Back the Week are being hosted by the Women’s Resource Center, the Women’s Studies Department, Well-being & Health Promotion, Counseling and Psychological Services, and several student organizations. The scope and variety of events is reflective of SDSU’s commitment to combat sexual violence holistically by increasing awareness, preventing violence, prompting and cuing individuals to intervene, and supporting victims/survivors who come forward.

To learn more about SDSU’s efforts in preventing sexual assault and spreading awareness, visit the SDSU Women’s Resource Center or Title IX website.

Below is a schedule of events happening throughout the week.

Monday, April 8

Queering Healing Through Platicas and Messages of Love 
Templo Mayor, Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union; 3-5 p.m.
Bernice Dimas will offer a workshop or platica on Queeranderimo, where she will discuss healing, love and herbalism.

Intersectional Approaches to Addressing Sexual Violence
Scripps Cottage; 5:30-7:30 p.m.
A panel featuring advocates from local organizations will discuss intersectional approaches to address sexual violence.

Tuesday, April 9

Health Expo Tabling
North Library Walkway; 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
An opportunity to learn about the health resources and services that are available on campus, including those related to sexual assault. 

#MeToo? Black Women’s Role in Sexual Justice 
The Black Resource Center; 4 – 6 p.m.
A workshop on the exclusion of black women in the #MeToo movement, the exploitation of black women’s sexual violence in the context of slavery, and black women’s role in sexual justice.

#NotSilentBecause 
Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union Theater; 5- 7 p.m.
An opportunity to be a part of an honest and open dialogue designed to educate and empower the SDSU community to speak up against sexual violence.

Wednesday, April 10

“Actually” by Anna Ziegler
Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union Theatre; 4 – 6 p.m.
A play about two college students who had a sexual encounter with blurry consent and are going through a Title IX investigation. With lyricism and wit, “Actually” investigates gender and race politics and the idea of multiple perspectives on an experience.

Sex Trafficking; It’s Not Just Global, It’s Local
Tula Community Center; 7 – 8:30 p.m.
An opportunity for people to learn about the current state of trafficking in San Diego and how teams use technology to identify victims of trafficking.

Thursday, April 11
 
Are Love, Healing & Justice Accessible to Us? Intimacy Beyond Survival
Legacy Suite, Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union; 11:15 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.
The Queer Futures Collective will facilitate a workshop and collective healing space centering queer, trans and disabled folks to reimagine current notions of intimacy, care accessibility and consent.

RISE: Open Support Group
Women’s Resource Center; 12:30 – 1:45 p.m.
An ongoing support group for survivors of sexual and dating violence, facilitated by Counseling and Psychological Services.

Take Back the Night
Lee & Frank Goldberg Courtyard, Conrad Prebys Student Union; 5:30- 8 p.m.
The Womyn’s Outreach Association is hosting an open mic for survivors and will lead students in a march on campus to take a stand against sexual violence.