April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), a national campaign focused on raising awareness about sexual violence and prevention. The theme for the 2020 SAAM campaign is “I Ask,” and Tri Delta is committed to partnering with the National Sexual Violence Resource Center to educate our members on this important issue that affects many communities. Tri Delta is proud to be at the forefront of this conversation and movement.
“Sexual assault is not a sorority-specific issue, but it’s an issue that we — as sorority women and leaders — are uniquely positioned to address,” said Fraternity President Kimberlee Di Fede Sullivan, Pepperdine.
In our continual efforts to help women live, learn and lead, Tri Delta has developed three new resources for our members to educate themselves and others on sexual assault. These resources are available in the Resource Library > Member Development > Sexual Assault Awareness.
- The new How to Engage in SAAM includes creative ideas for how members can participate in the month-long campaign.
- Members can review the new Bystander Intervention resource to learn more about how they can take action and fight against sexual assault.
- Supporting Survivors is a peer-led module that includes a discussion on secondary trauma, self-care and strategies for supporting survivors. The module can be facilitated for the chapter by any officer, member or advisor.
Additionally, Tri Delta offers members two powerful online programs, Clarifying Consent and Not Anymore through our partnership with Student Success.
Not Anymore
An online training program customized for sorority women that features modules on consent, sexual assault, dating violence, bystander behavior and healthy relationships. The program features instructed education, scripted scenarios, campus interviews and personal testimonials.
Clarifying Consent
This reality-driven refresher course explores the concept of consent and its key role in healthy relationships. As the theme of this year’s campaign is “I Ask” and is focused on consent, Tri Delta encourages chapters to utilize this premier educational program. Chapters who have 80% or more of their members participate in Clarifying Consent in April will be entered into a drawing to win a $250 donation in their chapter’s name to the charity of their choice.
Here’s what our members have to say about Not Anymore and Clarifying Consent:
“It is very important college-aged women be aware of this issue. As members of Tri Delta, we are encouraged to live, learn, and lead. We need to lead by example and advocate for survivors of sexual assault and continue to learn and bring awareness to this problem.”
“Personally, I spent time educating myself before college to be better prepared, but I never heard of verbal defense until now. I think the program is really well done and covers all the major topics. I really enjoyed the scenarios being included as it gives me a better idea of understanding situations, I’ve been in.”
We all have the power to impact the reality of campus sexual violence. By engaging in positive bystander behaviors, supporting survivors when they disclose their experiences and educating ourselves, we can all make a difference.
Questions about Sexual Assault Awareness Month can be directed to harmreduction@trideltaeo.org.