UAH to host Sexual Violence Prevention Month events

Dr. Stephanie Gilmore ('94 BA Philosophy), an award-winning educator, and sexual violence activist will deliver the keynote address "Sexual Violence on College Campuses" Tuesday, April 7.

Michael Mercier | UAH

The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) will host a series of events throughout April in observance of Sexual Violence Prevention Month to educate the UAH campus and community about sexual violence.

"Educating our campus community about sexual violence is extremely important. Our efforts are aimed at preventing these incidents through bystander intervention and sharing information about how to reduce the risks. We also want students to know that should they be personally impacted by sexual violence or know someone who has been, they should report these incidents and that we have many resources to help support the individual student(s) during this time," said Dr. Regina Young Hyatt, UAH Dean of Students.

Activities for the month long observance include a display of the Clothesline Project, Sexual and Domestic Violence presentations, and a keynote address by UAH alumna and sexual violence activist and educator Dr. Stephanie Gilmore, followed by the It's On Us Campaign.

• Monday, April 6-Wednesday, April 8, Charger Union Lobby, 11 a.m., to 1 p.m., 'The Clothesline Project," a program that addresses the issue of violence against women. T-shirts are designed by women affected by violence to express their emotions. These T-shirts are then displayed on a clothesline.
• Monday, April 6-Friday, April 10, Charger Union Lobby, 11:30 to 1 p.m., "Sexual and Domestic Violence Awareness," sponsored by UAH Police.
• Tuesday, April 7 - Charger Union Theater, 6:30 p.m., nationally recognized writer, and sexual violence activist Dr. Stephanie Gilmore , keynote talk "Sexual Violence on College Campuses."
• Tuesday, April 7 - "It's on Us Campaign," a public awareness campaign to help prevent campus sexual assault (immediately follows Gilmore's talk). The event features music, food, and prizes on the Charger Union Lawn.
• Friday, April 17 - Charger Union Lawn, noon, "Take a Stand Against Sexual Assault."

UAH alumna Stephanie Gilmore ('94 BA Philosophy), an award-winning educator, and nationally recognized writer, and sexual violence activist delivers the keynote address on Tuesday, April 7. After Gilmore's talk, the Student Government Association will kick-off their campus-wide "Its On Us" campaign. The campaign was launched last fall by President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden. The initiative seeks to engage college students and all members of campus communities in preventing sexual assault. The campaign was launched in partnership with the Center of American Progress' Generation Progress, along with student body leadership from nearly 200 colleges and universities across the country. "Its On Us" aims to fundamentally shift the way we think about sexual assault, by inspiring everyone to see it as their responsibility to do something, big or small, to prevent it.

Gilmore speaks openly and frankly about the realities of sexual violence on college campuses as well as how students are mobilizing forces to undo a culture of sexual violence. After listening to Gilmore's presentations, students walk away with new knowledge and insights as well as a sense of empowerment that comes from community building.

She is editor at Oral History Review. In the academic world, she has won awards for her scholarship, teaching, and contributions to the community. She is the editor of Feminist Coalitions: Historical Perspectives on Second-Wave Feminism in the United States (2008) and the author of Groundswell: Grassroots Feminist Activism in Postwar America (2013) as well as the author of numerous articles and chapters on activism.

In fall 2013, Gilmore launched her new research and analysis in the form of an interactive, multimedia presentation and Q&A session entitled "Un-Learning Rape Culture on College Campuses: Your 21st-Century Activism" at several colleges and universities, including Northwestern University and University of Arkansas. This year, she will speak at Allegheny College, Western Kentucky University, and Purdue University, among many others.

Gilmore is a former university professor at Dickinson College. She earned a Ph.D., in Comparative Women's History from Ohio State University.

All Sexual Violence Prevention Month events are sponsored by the UAH Office of the Dean of Students, UAH Police, Fraternity and Sorority Life, the Student Government Association, and Crisis Services of North Alabama.

Need Help? Contact Us:
UAH Police| 256.824.6596 or 6911
UAH Dean of Students| 256.824.6700
UAH Hotline| 256.824.STOP (7867)