UNIVERSITY PARK – Penn State is hosting events this week as a part of national Sexual Assault Prevention Month. The university is hosting its own sexual violence and awareness week, this week -- trying to shed light on the habit of victim blaming.
One exhibit is really getting people's attention. People walking through the student center at Penn State this week will likely notice a display of clothes, presented by the university's gender equity center.
"I just like this display because it goes to show that you can be wearing anything and it can happen to anyone," Penn State freshman Jackie Friedlander said.
The clothing are actual examples of what was worn by victims of sexual assaults when they were assaulted.
"It kind of just reminds me that like, no matter what you wear in the morning, no matter what you look like,” Friedlander said. “No matter who you are, it really has nothing to do with looks. It has everything to do with power. "
Several pieces include quotes from the victims about the experience they endured. Their stories.
"It also makes me feel less alone, that this happened to other people, it's not just me,” Friedlander said. “You know, there's a support system out there."
Jackie Friedlander is a sexual assault survivor.
"It happened to me about three years ago, and I wasn't wearing anything particularly scandalous either and I think there's definitely a victim blaming notion," Friedlander said.
She says the exhibit reminds her: She's not the only one to go through this and she hopes this will encourage others to come forward.
"It's OK to not speak up especially because you know, it happened to you. But I would encourage you to come forward so that person is held responsible for their actions and that they can’t continue to hurt other people in the future."
This is just one of the events that will happen this week. Wednesday there are two events hosted here in the hub, one featuring Mira Sorvino.
Men Against Violence Walk will happen on campus at noon Wednesday, April 10, at the Flex Theater in the HUB-Robeson Center. According to organizers the annual walk led by the Gender Equity Center's Men Against Violence peer education group. If the weather is nice, the meeting point will be HUB lawn. Please register at tinyurl.com/MAVWalk2019. Individuals and organizations welcome.
Wednesday, April 10, at 6:30 p.m., the organization will host Mira Sorvino for the #MeToo: From Weinstein to Worldwide Advocacy event at the Alumni Hall in the HUB-Robeson Center.
For more information about these events and the Gender Equity Center, please visit https://studentaffairs.psu.edu/genderequity.
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