Jessica F. Simmons

WILSON N.C. — For sexual assault awareness month (S.A.A.M), the Barton College S.A.A.M committee will host a variety of events and activities in hopes to raise donations for the Wesley Shelter in Wilson, NC.

“Overall, we wanted to do a compilation of fun educational activities that’ll reach all student groups,” said Student Government Association president, Taylor Glover.

“The whole point of this month’s activities, in my opinion, is to take the stigma away from sexual assault. I think that on college campuses, a lot gets swept under the rug, but this is something you can’t sweep under. We just need to upfront with what makes us uncomfortable, [regarding the stigma],” Glover said. 

Along with Glover, the S.A.A.M committee is composed of Service Engagement Coordinator Meghan Hickey, Assistant Director of Campus Life for Student Programs & Diversity Education Allison D. Hunter, and counseling intern Chanale Propst.

Glover said that the events and activities that will take place consists of The Clothesline Project, Teal Tabling, a film and dialogue, a sexual assault awareness lecture, a portrait campaign, and Denim Day. However, the biggest event that will last all month is the donation drive. 

“The Clothesline Project is something we do every year where you decorate a white t-shirt with quotes that inspire you or show that you support [sexually assaulted] survivors. We have a film that was made in Chapel Hill called The Hunting Ground,” said Glover.

The Hunting Ground is a 2015 documentary about sexual assault on college campuses published at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The documentary was created by former UNC-Chapel Hill students Annie Clark and Andrea Pino.

After the film and discussion, Glover said the sexual awareness lecture will be virtual, with guest speaker Britney Piper.

“We chose her because she talks about sexual assault and she is closer to the ages of the students on campus. Denim Day is a national day to spread awareness,” said Glover.

Glover said that the events during the last week of the month will take place in the Barton Art Gallery as well as various stations on campus.

“We’ve been taking portraits with [senior] Jonathan Moss. We’re going to display them in the student center and all of our models are either supporting sexual assault, or they have been through it themselves,” said Glover.

Glover said that for the donation drive, the committee is looking for paper, cleaning, and hygiene products. As well as school supplies, clothing, and non-perishable food items.

According to Glover, all donations will go to the Wesley Shelter.

“The Wesley Shelter is a good campus partner to us here at Barton. They do a lot of work with women and children who are victims of abuse in different formats as well,” said Hunter.

The Wesley Shelter is a women’s shelter as well as the domestic violence & sexual assault agency that provides a variety of services. The shelter is located on 106 East Vance Street. 

“We also looked at a lot of different organizations in the Wilson area, but the Wesley Shelter is the shelter that is more commonly known. We found other places, but when we did outreach, the Wesley Shelter was the first group to reach back with us completely on board,” said Hunter.

Several drop-off stations can be found in the student center, Hines Hall, Market C, and off-campus at the Carolina Nutrition Spot in Wilson.

 “You never know what people are going through. If students have any questions or would like more information on how to protect themselves, or what the process looks like, they should always feel comfortable asking someone,” said Hunter.

Hunter said that asking for help doesn’t label people in any negative way.

“If anything, it shows that you want to be knowledgeable and supportive towards survivors, so be that light,” said Hunter.

According to the S.A.A.M committee, the donation drive will end Apr. 30 at 5 p.m.

Photo by Jessica Simmons