MURFREESBORO — MTSU
will make a statement about sexual violence next week by proclaiming “It’s On
Us.”
The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life and the MTSU
Student Government Association will sponsor the 2015 National Week of Action
with events slated for Nov. 9-12.
“It’s On Us” is the theme of the National Week of Action, an
awareness campaign initiated by the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network. The
purpose is to create a culture of consent and promote the need for bystanders
to get involved when they believe sexual misconduct is occurring or is about to
occur.
A consent chat will take place on Twitter from 9 a.m. to 2
p.m. under the hashtag #ItsOnUsMTSU.” Participants will discuss consent and
what it means. A consent booth will be set up in the Student Union from 10 a.m.
to 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9, where students can design their own wristbands to
promote consent.
Anyone can take the “It’s On Us” pledge at a booth from 10
a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Student Union Tuesday, Nov. 10, and Wednesday, Nov. 11.
Students will be given personal commitment cards with the pledge printed on one
side and a signature line. Students can keep these in their wallets or purses
at all times.
The pledge reads, “I pledge to recognize that non-consensual
sex is sexual assault, to identify situations in which sexual assault may
occur, to intervene in situations where consent has not or cannot be given, to
create an environment in which sexual assault is unacceptable and survivors are
supported.”
In addition, students will be able to make public statements
by writing what they will commit to do to prevent sexual misconduct at MTSU.
The slips of paper will be displayed on a board for public viewing.
At 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, students and others are welcome
to take part in bystander intervention training in the Student Union Ballroom.
Participants will learn how to prevent sexual assault by getting involved when
they believe something is about to occur.
A student organization interest meeting is slated for 4:30
p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, in the Student Union Ballroom. Mitch Denning,
president of the It’s On Us student organization, will provide a brief overview
on the national “It’s On Us” movement and how it was adopted at MTSU. The group
will also start planning for April 2016, which is Sexual Assault Awareness
Month.
The “It’s On Us” Twitter Rally is slated for 2-3:30 p.m. at
#ItsOnUsMTSU. Unlike a Twitter chat, the purpose of a Twitter rally is to
continually blast out information regarding a specific topic for a short period
of time. The information will be related to the “It’s On Us” campaign.
To keep up with National Week of Action events, follow
social media @MTSUSGA or @MTSUFSL in addition to #ItsOnUsMTSU. For more
information, contact Donald Abels, interim director of fraternity and sorority
life, at 615-898-5812 or donald.abels@mtsu.edu
or go to http://www.mtsu.edu/fsl/itsonus.php.
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