April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). SAAM is a time for the Pitt community to come together to support survivors, increase knowledge and awareness, and identify strategies to eliminate sexual violence from our campus. Prevention at Pitt, the university’s new Office for Sexual Violence Prevention & Education, has created a calendar of events for SAAM to create space for education, dialogue, and survivor support.
Questions about SAAM events can be directed to Carrie Benson at carrie.benson@pitt.edu.
Featured Events
Into the Sexuality-Verse
6 to 8 p.m.
Tuesday, April 2
WPU 837
This interactive workshop will guide you through an introductory journey of the Circles of Sexuality: Sensuality, Intimacy, Sexual Identity, Sexual & Reproductive Health, and Sexualization. Each circle will feature its own activity, and together we'll learn more about ourselves while connecting with each other. Sweets & refreshments will be provided. This training will be facilitated by health educators Wren Ritchie and Jose Garth.
Trauma Informed Engagement Training
12 noon to 1 p.m.
Thursday, April 4
Virtual
Register Here
Trauma Informed Engagement is a short virtual training developed to provide community members with skills to help them engage with the Pitt community using a trauma focused approach. This training is virtual and will provide participants with time to practice some of the shared skills.
Trauma Informed Yoga Workshop
10 to 11:30 a.m.
Saturday, April 6
Prevention at Pitt Office (31st Floor of the Cathedral of Learning)
Register Here
Katherine Hornbostel will lead a trauma informed yoga class that will include a discussion on how yoga can be used to help recover from trauma. EveryBODY is welcome- experienced yogis to beginners. Breakfast bagels will be provided. Please bring a mat or let us know if you need one.
SAAM Resource Fair
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Wednesday, April 10
Gallagher Plaza (WPU)
Rain Location: WPU Ballroom
Prevention at Pitt’s Programming Task Force has planned a resource fair to highlight Pitt and community support services, clubs and education available to Pitt community members who have been impacted by sexual misconduct. Participants will have the opportunity to talk with resource providers and learn more about student organizations on Pitt’s campus. There will be lots of self-care materials available. Lunch will be provided.
Getting Beyond “Are You Safe?”
12 noon to 1:15 p.m.
Monday, April 15
Virtual
Register Here
This training will focus on discussion approaches to sexual misconduct with patients and clients. This event is tailored to students interfacing with patients or clients and encompasses:
- Asking questions about sexual violence
- Responding to disclosures
- A resource overview
- Promoting healthy self-care
Empowerment Through Voices Book Club
6 to 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 16
Prevention at Pitt Office (31st Floor of the Cathedral of Learning)
Register Here
Join the Prevention at Pitt Book Club, Empowerment through Voices, as we discuss Fatima Daas’ book The Last One. Participants who register will be given a copy of the book to read before the discussion.
Heart to Heart with Circle Up
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Wednesday, April 17
WPU Ballroom
Register Here
Heart to Heart with Circle Up is an in-person event where participants join very small groups of 3-4 participants to dialogue while sharing a meal together. In 90 minutes, participants are asked to discuss five questions about relationships, communication, and identity. Heart to Heart is a space to share authentically, learn from one another, and build community. Lunch will be provided.
Stories of Healing: Open Mic Night with the C4C
6 to 8 p.m.
Friday, April 19
C4C Understory (Cathedral of Learning Basement CL B50)
Register to Perform at Stories of Healing
Stories of Healing is an open mic night meant to honor survivors in our community and their stories. Pitt community members are encouraged to share about their healing journey with a personal reflection, creative writing piece, or a poem or written work that has inspired them. First-time performers to seasoned veterans are welcome to take the stage for a pre-set amount of time (up to six minutes).
Performance slots are limited, please register to guarantee a performance spot- we will open the floor after registered performers have finished. Supporters are always welcome! Sweets and tea will be provided.