In advance of Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM) this April, colleges around the country are gearing up to have open conversations about sexual violence and talk about ways to reduce instances of sexual assault on campus. Greek life organizations, and other on-campus groups of influence, are in a unique position to lead that conversation. Alpha Sigma Phi is one such organization that is taking a stand against sexual assault on campus.
“We want to raise awareness on campus about sexual assault because it is an extremely relevant problem that affects lots of people, and one that we want to end,” said Morgan Plant, Alpha Sigma Phi member at James Madison University. The call for change is justified: According to the Department of Justice, women ages 18-24 who are enrolled at an academic institution are three times more likely to be sexually assaulted than females in general.
Plant worked with RAINN to organize creative events on his campus, such as the “JMU Alpha Sig Challenge” philanthropy event where students and faculty could propose challenges to brothers in exchange for donations. These kinds of events spark frank conversations about sexual violence and educate students about support services for survivors. After three years of partnership, RAINN has helped Alpha Sigma Phi host hundreds of events—from glow-in-the-dark volleyball tournaments to opportunities for survivors to tell their story on campus, raising more than $50,000 to support the National Sexual Assault Hotline.
“As leaders on campus, Greek organizations are really poised to help jumpstart the conversation about sexual assault,” said Chelsea Bowers, RAINN’s director of development. “We hope to see even more campus leaders find creative ways to educate their peers.”
“Alpha Sigma Phi is excited to be a leader in the fraternal movement by partnering with RAINN and taking a public stance against sexual violence,” said Daniel Miller, director of chapter and colony development. “We're so proud that our students have made the proactive choice to address an issue very relevant to college students today."
In response to a growing interest from fraternities and sororities, RAINN has developed a program for college organizations to address sexual assault on campus. RAINN offers tools to chapters, including:
- Customized educational materials and a how-to guidebook
- Programming ideas and resources
- Personalized planning support throughout the school year.
- nteractive focus groups and presentations at national conferences.
Want to get your Greek organization involved?
RAINN offers a variety of opportunities for fraternities and sororities to promote awareness and raise funds to support survivors.
- Partner with RAINN. Sign up your chapter, or request that your national headquarters partner with RAINN. Please connect with Kay Ericson, RAINN’s Development Manager, at kaye@rainn.org or 202.587.5355 for more information.
- Race for survivors. Register for the annual Lace Up for RAINN 5K virtual race. Create a team with your fellow chapter members, or recruit alumni to run 3.1 miles in support of survivors.
- Pledge your support. Take the It's On Us pledge with your chapter members to encourage bystander intervention, end sexual violence, and create awareness around support services for survivors.
- Host a RAINN Day event. Connect with RAINN to host a RAINN Day event this fall. Hundreds of college groups host RAINN Day events in September each year. Sign up for RAINN Day 2016.