Hello Students, Staff, and Faculty,
As we enter the second half of the spring and enjoy the accompanying warmer weather, we hope you're feeling a surge of excitement and energy that will carry you through to the end of the semester. Along with the start of spring, we also recognize April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a time to educate ourselves about interpersonal violence, resources for those impacted by violence, and effective prevention strategies.
Sexual Assault Awareness Month is a campaign dating back to the emergence of rape crisis centers in the early 1970s, the first Take Back the Night march in 1975 and the subsequent rise in activism in the decades to follow. For years, UNH has recognized Sexual Assault Awareness Month through programming intended to support, amplify, and uplift survivors of interpersonal violence. Visit here to learn more about this month’s programs and how you can participate.
Sexual Assault Awareness Month is also a time to reflect on the work we’re doing at UNH to make our community safer and to support those who have been impacted by violence. While there is more work to be done, we know many members of our community have worked tirelessly to make tangible change in support of preventing interpersonal violence at UNH. Leaders in Community Standards and our General Counsel’s Office launched an updated, accessible, and comprehensive Sexual Misconduct and Sexual Exploitation policy. We completed the second year of implementing Voices for Change and Graduate Student Upstanders, online courses that provide students with critical information on topics including interpersonal violence. Due to a collaborative effort spanning multiple offices and campuses, we saw much stronger completion numbers by improving our communication, marketing, and timing. We also know that, while volunteerism is down across the country, there are nearly 50 student Peer Advocates and Community Educators who make SHARPP's response, education, and outreach services possible. Interpersonal violence prevention is a community effort, and we’re continuously impressed by how many students dedicate their time and energy to supporting this effort. You can find more information and learn how to volunteer on the SHARPP website.
We hope to see you at SHARPP’s upcoming Sexual Assault Awareness Month initiatives. We also know that awareness months like these may remind us of our own need to connect with community resources. SHARPP, the Civil Rights & Equity Office and the University Police Department remain consistent resources for students impacted by violence. The Aulbani J. Beauregard Center for Equity, Justice, and Freedom and its professional staff are available for support. Counselors from PACS are here to listen and provide confidential support. Health & Wellness provides sex-positive and inclusive medical services, wellness coaching, and education. Finally, the uSafeUS app developed by UNH’s Prevention Innovations and Research Center provides immediate links to UNH prevention and response resources 24/7. You are also welcome to contact any of us if there’s something we can do to assist or if you have feedback about the commitments.
Sincerely,
Bo Zaryckyj
Title IX Coordinator
Mike Blackman
Dean of Students
Rachel Stewart
Director, Sexual Harassment & Rape Prevention Program (SHARPP)
