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REPOST: UMBC's 2021 Virtual Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Originally posted by the Women's Center and can be viewed here.

Sexual Assault Awareness Month brings people together to create and generate discussion and skill-building on how to prevent sexual violence in our schools, workplaces, and communities. While providing support and care to survivors of sexual violence is an everyday action, this awareness month also carves out intentional moments to honor and believe survivors’ stories and experiences.

We are saddened that for another year in a row that the pandemic has impacted our ability to physically come together this April to do this critical work. The Women’s Center and all of our campus partners including the Office of Equity and Inclusion, University Health Services, the Counseling Center, Green Dot, We Believe You, and Retriever Courage, and more will nonetheless continue to promote awareness and prevention this month. We are inviting our UMBC community to join our efforts.


Take Back the Night 2021 has moved online!

TBTN is one of the largest events the Women's Center hosts every year. To honor this special event that centers survivors stories and healing and invites our community to dismantle rape culture, we created an interactive website that will be launched later this month. We invite our community to visit the website and engage in the visual and audio content. Spend time alone or with others sitting with the reflection questions and action items. Share your thoughts on social media using #UMBCtbtn.

Stay tuned for the website launch event!


Survivors of power-based violence are also invited to connect with the We Believe You discussion group. Email womenscenter@umbc.edu for more details on how you can join this virtual discussion that takes place every other Wednesday at 4pm.


Other Ways to Get Involved, Learn, and Support:



The events, activism, discussions, support, and stories that stem from Sexual Assault Awareness Month are some of the Women’s Center’s most significant and special. It's challenging to lose these events and the community they create for a second year in a row. It's okay to grieve Take Back the Night and our other annual traditions. We are alongside you in that grieving process, and we hope that in these extraordinary times, we can continue to act with extraordinary compassion and conscientiousness to prevent sexual violence at UMBC and beyond.


And, remember, no matter where you are, dear survivors, we see you. We believe you. You matter. Always.



Additionally, throughout this time of continued distance learning, campus staff are still here and available for support. Do not hesitate to reach out for questions, concerns, or care.


On-Campus Resources Available for Virtual Support: 


To report a complaint of sexual misconduct or discrimination, please submit this online form. 



Off-Campus Resources:

  • TurnAround, Inc. Helpline (Available 24/7): 443-279-0379; Office: 410-377-8111

  • MCASA is still open and supporting survivors.

  • The National Sexual Assault Hotline is 24/7, confidential and free: 800-656-HOPE (4673) and through chat.

  • The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 24/7, confidential and free: 1-800-799-7233 and through chat. 

  • Visit Retriever Courage for a more extensive list of off-campus resources and support




Follow the Women’s Center on myUMBC, Facebook,Twitter, and Instagram for SAAM updates and information throughout the month of April.
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Posted: April 2, 2021, 1:58 PM

Read Original Post in myUMBC