Middlesex College Observes Sexual Assault Awareness Month with Powerful Tributes
The April programming and events align with the national observance of Sexual Assault Awareness Month to provide support for victims of sexual violence.
(l-r) Jennifer Kurdyla, Middlesex County Center for Empowerment, Sexual Violence Prevention coordinator; Clare Daley,
Democracy House coordinator; Kimberly Silverio Diaz, Civic Engagement & Experiential Learning coordinator; Sarah Van Clef,
Adjunct English and Community Engaged Learning professor
Each year, the Middlesex College Democracy House Center and Civic Engagement and Community Partnerships display a What Were You Wearing? installation in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The art installation features re-creations of the clothing survivors were wearing when they were assaulted.
“The goal is to demonstrate that assault is an act of violence perpetrated against a person, and to shift the conversation away from what they were wearing,” said Middlesex College Coordinator for Civic Engagement and Experiential Learning Kimberly Silverio Diaz.
The College partners with the Middlesex County Center for Empowerment for the project, which provides installation materials for this powerful art piece. The installation, on display in the College Center Cafeteria C hallway, was installed by students in Professor Sarah Van Clef’s English Composition I Community Engaged Learning course.
“Our hope is that students will see first-hand that they can break cycles of abuse and end the stigma that is unfortunately around domestic violence and sexual assault,” said Van Clef. “By normalizing these conversations, we are able to provide students a place to talk about these subjects safely and supportively.”
The What Were You Wearing? installation is on display through April 14.
The College is also hosting a number of other events in observation of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, including Teal/Denim Day to show support for survivors and a speaking event with the Stephanie Nicole Parze Foundation, both on April 27. To learn more, visit the College Events Calendar.
