It's on us — all of us — to stop sexual assault. That's the message of the national "It's On Us" campaign, which aims to shift the way we think about sexual assault. On Monday, UNMC will formally join the campaign with an informational booth at both the Sorrell Center and Durham Research Center from noon to 1 p.m. UNMC faculty, staff and students are encouraged to stop at either location and take the pledge (to prevent sexual assault), as well as register for a UNMC "It's on Us" T-shirt drawing. Safety whistles will be distributed while supplies last, along with resource brochures. UNMC's own "It's on Us" video will premier at both locations. The brief video features UNMC faces voicing:
- the importance of creating an environment in which sexual assault is unacceptable and survivors are supported,
- of recognizing that non-consensual sex is sexual assault,
- of identifying situations in which sexual assault may occur; and the
- importance of intervening in situations where consent has not or cannot be given.
Join us Monday between 12:15 and 12:40 p.m. in the Sorrell Center to experience a unique launch of the campaign and also show your support for change. "Everyone has a role in raising awareness and stopping sexual assault," said Carmen Sirizzotti, Title IX coordinator at UNMC. "The It's on Us campaign is meant to create a cultural shift in the way we think about, talk about and act around sexual assault. Most importantly, it establishes a sense of ownership over the problem and empowers everyone to make a difference." Sirizzotti praised both the UNMC Student Senate and the EMPOWER Program for bringing the national campaign to UNMC. EMPOWER, a partnership between the UNMC's Service Learning Academy and the Women's Center for Advancement, provides education and basic health screenings to empower women who are victims of domestic violence. According to the campaign:
- 1 in five women and one in 16 men are sexually assaulted in college
- 40 percent of survivors fear reprisal by their attacker
- Only 2 percent of incapacitated rape survivors report assault
- Only 13 percent of rape survivors report assault
- 8 in 10 victims knew their attacker (friend, significant other, etc.)
Unable to attend the Sept. 14 campaign launch? You can still take the Pledge (and learn more about the campaign) at ItsOnUs.org.