April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. During this month we engage in education and dialogue aimed at eradicating sexual violence. It is also a time when we hold space for the survivors on Pitt’s campus. This is a time when we honor our community members who have experienced trauma. Students, faculty and staff are welcome to attend any events during SAAM, though some content maybe directed at specific members of our campus community. Back to top
Wall of Support
The Sexual Violence Prevention and Education Office is collecting messages to recreate a wall of support for survivors. These messages will be displayed on Pitt Supports Survivors. You can submit messages here. This year, participants have the ability to provide messages using text, video or images. Back to top
SAAM Mini-Grant Program
The SAAM Task Force welcomes mini-grant proposals from student organizations, staff, faculty, and Pitt Communities for the implementation of efforts to increase prevention initiatives on campus and broaden support for survivors of sexual violence. More
2023 Events
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. During this month we engage in education and dialogue aimed at eradicating sexual violence. It is also a time when we hold space for the survivors on Pitt’s campus.
This is a time when we honor our community members who have experienced trauma. Students, faculty and staff are welcome to attend any events during SAAM, though some content maybe directed at specific members of our campus community.
Questions about SAAM events can be directed to Carrie Benson at carrie.benson@pitt.edu.
Featured Events
Creative Healing: Using Creative Expression to Stand with Survivors and Raise Awareness for Campus Sexual Violence
Monday, April 10
9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
WPU Patio and Lawn
Rain Location: WPU Assembly Room
Join the Sexual Assault Awareness Month Task Force and the Center4Creativity for a creative expression event. Creative Healing will feature multiple stations that will allow students to create unique pieces of art that promote healing, awareness building and resiliency. All Pitt community members are welcome to stop by and create at this event.
Here to Help: A Resource Fair
Monday, April 10
9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
WPU Patio and Lawn
Rain Location: WPU Assembly Room
The Sexual Assault Awareness Month Task Force is hosting a resource fair aimed at highlighting resources available to community members who have been impacted by sexual misconduct. Participants can talk with representatives from organizations such as, Pittsburgh Action Against Rape (PAAR), Student Health Services, and SAFE peer educators; learn more about how they can get involved in related student organizations; or take self-care items. This event is open to all Pitt community members.
Pittsburgh Universities Believe Survivors March
Sunday, April 16
11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Start: Carlow University
End: University of Pittsburgh, Posvar Patio
Join students from Pitt, Carlow, Chatham and Carnegie Mellon universities as we join together to support survivors and march against campus sexual violence. The march will begin at Carlow University where participants can make signs. At 11:45 a.m. we will march through Oakland. The march will end with a survivor speak out at Pitt’s Posvar Patio.
Register for the PUBS march. Registering will allow you to provide a T-shirt size and share any accommodations you may need to fully participate.
Additional Events
SETPoint Empowerment-Based Self Defense Workshop
Pitt Queer Professionals will host two SETpoint (https://www.set-point.org/) trainings. Space is limited to 25 registrants per session. If you are interested, please RSVP at the link below.
Friday, March 24, 4 to 6:30 p.m., William Pitt Union, Dining Room A
Tuesday, April 4, 4 to 6:30 p.m., William Pitt Union, Room 539
My Voice Has Power: Bystander Intervention
Monday, April 3
9:30 to 11 a.m.
Virtual program for the Survivor Support Network
This discussion-based session is designed to help community members recognize and respond to harassment and discrimination on a college campus. Participants will learn and share tips for how to intervene or act as an ally. Case scenarios will be discussed throughout the session. This session is open to anyone, but targeted to faculty, staff and graduate students. Register here.
Circle Up: Open Conversation
Monday, April 3
5 to 6:30 p.m.
Lower lounge, William Pitt Union
Facilitated by Dev and Willa (OEDI prevention educators)
Circle Up is a community building tool that encourages participants to share and learn from one another in a safe and inclusive environment. Circle Up promotes open dialogue around messaging, healthy relationships and sexuality, sexual agency, personal boundaries, expectations, and survivor support. Conversations are facilitated by graduate prevention educators. Dinner will be served to Circle Up participants. Register for Circle Up.
Note: Space is limited; advance registration is encouraged. Students who do not register in advance are still welcome to stop by the beginning of the session to see if there is space available.
Supporting Survivors: A Workshop with PAAR
Wednesday, April 5
9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Virtual program
The workshop will discuss the effects of trauma, how to respond to disclosures of sexual violence, how to provide ongoing support and Pittsburgh specific resources. This workshop is facilitated with Pittsburgh Action Against Rape. Register here.
Wellness Workshop with Pittsburgh Action Against Rape
Friday, April 7
2 to 4 p.m.
Room 548, William Pitt Union
To celebrate Sexual Assault Awareness Month, celebrating survivors and their supporters alike, PAAR will be hosting a Wellness Workshop! Come meet PAAR Advocates, learn about PAAR services, and participate in multiple wellness activities:
- Create a coping skills tool bag; designing a bag and filling it with your choice of unique coping and grounding items.
- Decorate and outline a bullet journal to use for goal management and self-reflection .
- Create your own blend of essential oil diffusers and rollers.
Circle Up: Open Conversation Circle
Tuesday, April 11
6:30 to 8 p.m.
Room 630, William Pitt Union
Facilitated by Dev and Willa (OEDI prevention educators)
Circle Up is a community building tool that encourages participants to share and learn from one another in a safe and inclusive environment. This circle will focus on sexual agency. Conversations are facilitated by graduate prevention educators. An ice cream station will be available to Circle Up participants. Register for Circle Up!
Moving Research into Practice: A Spotlight on Circle Up!
Thursday, April 13
3 to 4:15 p.m.
Virtual program
Members of the SEED 2.0 Inclusive Prevention Strategies grant team will come together to discuss the development, implementation, and status of the new prevention initiative, Circle Up. Circle Up uses dialogue-centered programming to prevent sexual misconduct and promote healthy sexuality and relationships by encouraging students to discuss about their own agency and the agency of others. Register here.
SETPoint Empowerment-Based Self Defense Workshop
Rescheduled; time and place TBA
Self-defense takes many forms, from learning to pick up clues in your environment, to setting healthy boundaries, to practicing effective physical resistance skills. Join SETpoint coaches for this high-energy, gender inclusive session where we'll consider and practice common sense and practical ways to keep yourself and others safe. You'll leave feeling strong, energized, and empowered! SETpoint sessions are inclusive, trauma-informed, and survivor-centered. Register here.
Note: Space is limited; advance registration is encouraged. Students who do not register in advance are still welcome to stop by the beginning of the session to see if there is space available.
Bystander Intervention Training with SAFE
Monday, April 17
7 to 8 p.m.
Location TBA
This interactive program offers participants the opportunity to understand what it means to be an active bystander when they observe others in distressing or potentially harmful situations. Participants will begin to identify strategies and utilize communication skills necessary for intervention in situations they are concerned could be harmful to another person. Information about consent and student resources are also included. Register here.