Sexual Assault Awareness Month serves as a time to dismantle systemic silence and social stigma surrounding survivors that allows harm to persist. In centering this month on consent and prevention education, we can work toward creating a safe community where personal autonomy and shared responsibility are recognized and adhered to. This kind of acknowledgement is critical, especially at Jesuit institutions like St. Joe’s.
This month stems from the experiences of those who have experienced sexual assault. For survivors, sexual violence is not one isolated event. Rather, it’s a life-altering incident that can influence a person’s sense of safety, trust and autonomy. This lasting impact can be invisible to the outside world, and without a supportive community, survivors are often left to navigate their experience in isolation, further burdened by a society that prioritizes moving on over accountability.
At St. Joe’s, Prevention, Advocacy, Trust and Healing is once source of support. The program’s members are trained in listening and crisis counseling and can connect survivors with appropriate resources, including professional counseling and legal information. People impacted by sexual assault have access to P.A.T.H.’s 24/7 hotline, where both the caller and counselor remain anonymous. If a survivor seeks to officially document their experience with the university, they may submit reports to the Office of Title IX and Equity Compliance.
Awareness campaigns, such as Sexual Assault Awareness Month, combine individual stories with public support, demonstrating to survivors they do not have to carry the weight of their trauma alone. By investing in comprehensive resources and ensuring their accessibility, we can transform our society into a place where healing is not just possible but is also the standard. The importance of this month lies in our commitment to ensuring the legacy of a survivor is not the trauma they experienced but their individuality, resilience and strength.
Members of the St. Joe’s community seeking support are encouraged to contact the following resources:
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), 610-660-1090
Campus Ministry, 610-660-1030
The Office of Student Outreach & Support, 610-660-1149
The Jesuit community, 610-660-1400
Employee Assistance Program, 866-799-2728
