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The Dartmouth
July 25, 2025 | Latest Issue
The Dartmouth

Sexual Assault Awareness Week features speeches, march

This year's Sexual Assault Awareness Week, titled "Speaking Up, Speaking Out," kicks off today with a speech by University of Maryland health educator Dr. Robin Sawyer, at 8 p.m. in Collis Common Ground.

Liza Veto, assistant coordinator of sexual assault awareness programs and organizer of SAAW said Sawyer's speech, titled "Let's Talk about Sex," will address the different degrees of sexual assault and strategies for dealing with assault.

Veto said the week will focus on examining sexual assault from a number of different perspective and will include speeches, displays and the annual Take Back the Night march.

"The idea we want to present is taking action," Veto said.

Jennifer Rodriguez '95, one of the students working to organize the SAAW events, said, "One thing that is particularly of interest to me is men and where they take a role," she said .

Rodriguez said SAAW's discussions are designed to include men, but in a non-defensive position.

"We need to gain a deeper understanding of the far reaching effects of this crime," said Judy Meadows '97, another student organizer.

Meadows is working on one of the special features of this year's SAAW, The Clothesline Project, a display of shirts made by victims or friends and families of victims of sexual assault.

Shirts made at Dartmouth and the University of New Hampshire will be on display in Collis Common Ground, Monday through Friday, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 5 to 7 p.m. Meadows said the shirts are a good way to familiarize Dartmouth students with the effects of sexual assault on individuals.

"Each shirt is individual and speaks of an individual experience," she said. "It's a very empowering feeling to be able to put something on a shirt like that."

Another feature new this year is a brown bag luncheon, where students will discuss the impact of sexual assault on women of color.

"In different cultures the idea of sex is perceived completely differently than it can be in the United States," Rodriguez said.

She said participants will discuss issues like ethnic stereotyping and issues concerning accusing someone of your own race.

The annual Take Back the Night march, which typically draws about 150 people, will start at 8 p.m. on Thursday outside Webster Hall.

Veto said the purpose of the march is "reclaiming the right to walk in safety at night."

The event will begin with students speaking about the significance of the march, according to Veto. Marchers will then proceed around the center of campus and end in a rally on the Green where students will read poems and express their feelings about SAAW.

Many speakers will address sexual assault issues throughout the week.

On Wednesday, Katie Koestner, a graduate of William and Mary, will discuss her personal experience with sexual assault. She will host an informal discussion at 4 p.m. in the Choates Lounge and will deliver a speech titled "First Mourn. Then Work for Change." at 7:30 p.m. in Cook Auditorium.

Friday, Christine Carter '94, will read from a book of sexual assault survivors' stories titled "The Other Side of Silence" at 4 p.m. in Collis Common Ground.

The week will close with a celebration in Brace Commons at 7 p.m. on Friday featuring the Decibelles, Aires, and Daisy Alpert '95 and Justin Wells '95.