“The purpose of the annual program is to build greater awareness of issues related to sexual violence, to provide safe settings to talk about the problem and to provide help to victims of sexual harassment and violence,” according to student organizer Julie Denlinger, an EMU senior social work major from Lancaster, Pa.

Events Include Discussions, Self-Defense Workshop

Activities will begin at 8 p.m. on Monday, January 19th with the showing of a documentary and a panel discussion on issues surrounding sexual assault in the Common Grounds Coffeehouse.

“Take Back the Night” t-shirts will be distributed on both Monday and Tuesday in the Campus Center. These are available for purchase or to borrow for the week. Students and community members will also support the White Ribbon Campaign by wearing white ribbons in recognition of male victims of sexual violence.

An informational, hands-on workshop on self-defense led by EMU senior Emily Gingrich will be held 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20 in the exercise room of the fitness center at the north end of the University Commons. Both men and women are invited to come and learn self-defense techniques.

Stories of Healing and Survival

Local resident Keith Morris will tell his story of hope as a survivor of abuse in a university chapel talk 10 a.m. Wednesday in Lehman Auditorium. Morris serves on the board of directors of the Collins Center, formerly CASA (Citizens Against Sexual Assault) of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County.

Take Back the Night planning committee members and EMU Counseling Center staff will collaborate in leading a time of “honoring our woundedness” in the journey toward healing from sexual violence at 8 p.m. Wednesday in room 105 of the Campus Center. This brand new workshop will include music, messages, readings and healing rituals for all those who have experienced sexual violence, those who know of people who have, and those who want to stand in solidarity with those who have been abused.

Activities will conclude with a coffee house and open mike session and music 8 p.m. Thursday in the Common Grounds Coffeehouse. Refreshments will be served.

Counselors will be available at most sessions during the week.

Admission is free to all events.

For more information, call the department of social work and applied sociology at (540) 432-4450.

“Take Back the Night,” a rally uniting men and women against sexual violence, will be held Monday through Thursday, Oct. 29-Nov. 1, at EMU.

The annual program seeks to build greater awareness of issues related to sexual violence, to provide safe settings to talk about the problem and to provide help to victims of sexual harassment and violence.

Guest speaker for the event is Nicole Braddock Bromley, author of the book, “Hush: Moving from Silence to Healing after Childhood Sexual Abuse.”

She will speak 10 a.m. Wed., Oct. 31 in Lehman Auditorium during university chapel on what she describes as “the best-kept secret in our nation today.” (See other upcoming chapels…)

“Hush” is a touching, warm and honest account of childhood sexual abuse and the path to recovery. The book is aimed both at persons who have suffered childhood sexual abuse and are searching for their own voice or those who have found their voice but need guidance in their journey toward healing as well as for anyone who wants greater understanding of a difficult topic.

Bromley is founder and director of OneVOICE Enterprises (), an inspirational speaker and national spokesperson on sexual abuse and assault. She has been featured in news, magazines, national television programs and radio broadcasts across the country.

She will also speak at an informal session for women at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Northlawn Great Lounge.

“Take Back the Night” t-shirts with a “1 in 4” (one in four persons is sexually assaulted before age 18) message will be on sale Monday and Tuesday. Persons are encouraged to wear them to Wednesday’s chapel when Nicole Braddock Bromley speaks.

EMU junior Emily N. Gingrich will lead a self-defense workshop 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30, in the Discipleship Center on the hill overlooking campus.

Activities will conclude with “an evening of sharing and healing” 10 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1, in the Common Grounds Coffeehouse on ground floor of the University Commons.

Professional counselors will be available at most sessions.

For more information, call the EMU department of social work and sociology at 540-432-4450.

The purpose of the annual program is to build greater awareness of issues related to sexual violence, to provide safe settings to talk about the problem and to provide help to victims of sexual harassment and violence, according to student organizer Kathryn J. (Katie) Chaffinch, an EMU senior social work major from Greenwood, Del.

Throughout the week, “The Clothesline Project” in the EMU Campus Center will provide opportunity for artistic expressions of brokenness, healing, anger and hope regarding sexual violence by providing persons with t-shirts and supplies to paint them. The shirts will be displayed in the Campus Center all week.

A film, “Searching for Angela Shelton,” will be shown 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 2 in the in the University Commons.

Filmmaker Angela Shelton journeys across the United States in an effort to survey women in America. She discovers that 25 of the 40 other Angela Sheltons have been raped, beaten or molested. This film is her journey of self-discovery, activism and healing. A discussion facilitated by a representative from CASA (Citizens Against Sexual Assault) will follow the showing.

Local Author Speaks

Lee M. Van Orden, author and encourager from Harrisonburg, will speak in a university chapel 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 4 in Lehman Auditorium. She will tell her story of childhood sexual abuse, finding healing through a relationship with Christ and the power of a supportive community.

At a “Take Back the Night” coffeehouse 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5, students will share music, experiences and readings on sexual violence, followed by a concert by Sattaskys, a local reggae group.

Counselors will be available at most sessions during the week.

Admission is free to all events.

For more information, call the EMU department of at 540-432-4453.

The seventh annual program “will seek to build greater awareness of issues related to sexual violence, to provide safe settings for men and women to talk about the problem and to provide help to victims of sexual harassment and violence,” said EMU student organizer Valerie L. Showalter.

Activities will begin with a chapel presentation, “Shining a Light in the Shadows: How Man Can Be Allies,” 10 a.m. Monday in Lehman Auditorium by David Rider from Men Can Stop Rape.

Other events include:

• An open-mike session 8-10 p.m. Monday at the Common Grounds Coffeehouse in the University Commons for persons to share poetry, songs and stories related to their experience with sexual assault. Bagels and beverages will be provided.
• A self-defense class presented by CASA (Citizens Against Sexual Assault) 9 p.m. Tuesday (Oct. 5), location to be announced.
• A presentation and panel discussion on sexual violence issues by CASA team members, health professionals and associate campus pastor Julie Haushalter 7 p.m. Tuesday in room 211-212 of the University Commons.
• “Red Shirt Day” Wednesday (Oct. 6), symbolizing the one in four women who have been sexually assaulted by age 18.
• Professional counselors will be available at most sessions.

For more information, contact Valerie Showalter at (540) 437-6476; e-mail: valerie.showalter@emu.edu.