Leading Edge set for third annual Sexual Assault Awareness Day April 11
Russell Vannozzi |
For the third consecutive year, The Leading Edge will host “Sexual Assault Awareness Day” on Tuesday, April 11 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.in the Bennett Campus Center. The purpose of the event is to inform students about the topic and to support victims of sexual assault.
The Leading Edge has partnered with the Metro Police Department, Nashville’s Sexual Assault Center, the Lipscomb Counseling Center, the Title IX office, Sodexo, and Krispy Kreme to help put on the event. Individuals from each organization will be on hand to interact with students and equip them with information. Support will also be offered for those who are survivors of sexual assault.
“Being open and honest about tough topics like sexual assault isn’t easy,” said junior Leading Edge member Delaney Gilbert. “We want to create awareness and provide an outlet for people who feel like they don’t have a voice or don’t have any help.”
Sam Smith, dean of student life, said that despite Lipscomb’s outstanding safety record, the topic of sexual assault is one that administration does not take lightly.
“We want Lipscomb students to know how seriously this school takes sexual assault,” Smith said. “We want to educate our community to prevent it from happening in the first place, but we also want to make certain that students know where to turn if they experience and/or see something that isn’t right. The Leading Edge is a bold group of students who are demonstrating through this event that they aren’t afraid to address the tough topics on campus.”
The Leading Edge is a student-led group that seeks out areas on campus that need improvement. The group then creates an executable plan to make the necessary changes.
Gilbert helped orchestrate the first sexual assault awareness event in 2015 and said that the event has grown into something bigger than itself.
“This day keeps getting bigger and better every year, and we are looking forward to seeing the positive impact that it will make on our campus,” Gilbert said.
All students and staff are encouraged to wear teal and stop by the Student Center on Tuesday to take part in the event. Free Krispy Kreme Donuts will be handed out on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Other members of The Leading Edge include: juniors Rachael Clark, Bria Harris and Caleb Heronimus, sophomores Rachel Heronimus, Steven Kleinschmidt, Anna McCain, Peggy Miller, and Collin Vasseur, and freshmen Lynley Childress, Jacob Locke, and Luke Shoulders.
To keep up with the event and future news from the Leading Edge, please follow them on Twitter (@LeadingEdge_LU), Facebook (The Leading Edge), and Instagram (@lipscombleadingedge).