As the executive director of the nonprofit advocacy organization Pueblo Rape Crisis Services, Kirsten Taylor knows the topics of rape and sexual assault often are grim to think about, let alone to discuss.
But the topic of sexual violence is pivotal to keep in the public eye, Taylor said, which is why April is designated Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM).
“We know that shining some light on it is the only way we can bring it out of the darkness, so that’s something we really focus on,” Taylor said.
“SAAM … is an opportunity to kind of remind folks out in the world of the important work we’re doing, not just in Pueblo or in Colorado but really all over the globe.”
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The four other women with her each put down a finger.
âPut a finger down if you were ever coerced into unwanted sexual experiences,â she continued, all five putting a finger down this time.
Again, she read, âput a finger down if something scary or illegal (happened to you) and you were scared to report it because you didnât think anybody would listen.â Four put another finger down.
After 15 questions, all about sexual assault experiences before graduating college, four of the five women participating had put all 10 fingers down, and were counting on a new hand. The only one who didnât put all 10 fingers down finished with eight. Afterward, they posted video of the exercise to the Women of Mountain City Facebook page to help raise awareness about sexual assault and the importance of teaching consent.
UA and Fayetteville community members came together Thursday evening to bring awareness of campus sexual assault and show solidarity to survivors of sexual violence during the 19th annual UA Take Back the Night event.Â
The event, a part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, has taken the form of a march since 2002. After a virtual rally in 2020, this yearâs event was presented as a gathering at the Arkansas Chi Omega Greek Theatre. Speakers included members of the community and survivors of sexual violence, who advocated for rape culture awareness and societal change.
The event fell the same day that hundreds of students and alumni took to social media to condemn UA administrators and share stories of negative experiences with the Title IX office in response to the news of a $20,000 settlement paid to a former student. The student had accused the university of mishandling a 2017 sexual assault allegation after a Title IX panel found him responsible for the assault. The Graduat
New Braunfels City Council members on Monday are expected to discuss and consider a recommendation by the New Braunfels Economic Development Corporation approving an expenditure of up to $400,000 to Frantic Holdings, LLC for a project that would bring high-speed broadband infrastructure and services to commercial customers in downtown and other areas of the city.
As part of an effort to increase broadband availability, the EDC in May 2020 contracted with Alk Development Services to oversee the project planâs development with Frantic that would bring broadband services at affordable rates to downtown businesses initially.
Frantic plans to utilize existing street poles to deliver backbone routes and connections to each building, using available city and New Braunfels Utility easements as necessary.Â