Leading Edge to host Sexual Assault Awareness Week Feb. 28-March 2
Russell Vannozzi |
Following the success of its annual Sexual Assault Awareness Day, The Leading Edge has plans to host an entire week of educational activities on Lipscomb’s campus from Feb. 27 to March 2.
The Leading Edge – a group of students looking to impact change at Lipscomb – has hosted Sexual Assault Awareness Day for the past three years, but the group will now expand that to reach even more students and create a longer-lasting impact.
“Our student leaders are taking a giant leap this year by hosting a week of educating their peers about resources on campus and raising awareness about sexual assault,” Dean of Student Life Dr. Sam Smith said.
Senior Delaney Gilbert has been instrumental in the creation of Sexual Assault Awareness Day, and she is determined to spread a positive message throughout the week.
“Sexual assault awareness is playing a bigger role in our culture, so making this a week-long series makes it more effective,” Gilbert said. “I think that the consistency of our messaging will help us connect with students. We’re hoping to build advocates out of that.”
The week will kick off with Sexual Assault Awareness Day in the Bennett Campus Center from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday. Students can participate in the group's “I Will” campaign by picking up bracelets and information from a resource fair that will include the Title IX office, the Sexual Assault Center and the Metro Police Department.
On Wednesday, The Leading Edge will host separate devotionals for men and women. The men’s devotional, dubbed UnEarthed, will begin at 6 p.m. in Ezell 301.
“We know that the more we raise awareness about this topic, the better we can equip our campus to take a stand against sexual assault,” Smith said.
Meanwhile, the women’s devotional will be a self-defense training course in the Student Activities Center. That event is slated for 7 p.m., and those interested in attending are encouraged to pre-register online.
Another installment of “Confessions: The Good, The Bad and the Ugly of My Spiritual Journey” will highlight the activities on Thursday. Three survivors of sexual assault will share their stories behind a screen masking their identities. The program will begin at 4:30 p.m. in Doris Swang Chapel (inside the Ezell Center), and chapel credit will be available for attendees.
“It’s something that we often neglect that (sexual assault) happens to our students, but some people have experienced that injustice,” Gilbert said. “We want to them to share their stories in a completely anonymous setting.”
The week will wrap up with a showing and discussion of “Liberated,” a film documenting the pitfalls of spring break party culture. The screening will be held on Friday at 6:30 p.m. in Club 1891, and viewer discretion is advised.