BCCC Holds First Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Beaufort County Community College will hold its first Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM)in April in coordination with the national campaign to increase awareness about the causes and risk factors for sexual assault and empower individuals to take steps to prevent it in their communities. The college will host a series of activities to help support survivors of sexual assault and raise awareness across campus.

Since 2001, the National Sexual Violence Research Center has coordinated annual programming, developing materials and resources for organizations and agencies to use. The SAAM campaign works with a variety of non-profit organizations and foundations to spread the message of awareness and prevention through educational programs, public events, and petitions for legislative action.

From April 11-15, students can submit positive sayings, phrases, and videos that focus on the theme of “We Can Build Safe Online Spaces”. BCCC will highlight these messages on its social media platforms. Students can submit positive pictures or videos to https://forms.office.com/r/qaKeVa124c Students and employees can wear teal ribbons in support of survivors and to raise awareness.

On April 12 from 1:00 p.m.- 3:00 p.m., the REAL Crisis Center will be on campus provide resources for survivors of sexual assault and their allies in the Continuing Education Building (8) Auditorium.

On April 14 from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., BCCC will show the movie Freshmen Fall in the Continuing Education Building (8) Auditorium with a discussion afterwards. The REAL Crisis Center will be available during this event as well.

Students can always access on-campus support and resources for sexual assault through the counseling center, campus police or the Title IX Coordinator. Kimberly Jackson, Director of Counseling, can be reached at 252-940-6252 or kimberly.jackson@beaufortccc.edu. The BCCC Police can be reached at 252-940-6444. Students and employees can also report violations of BCCC’s Title IX Policy by emailing titleix@beaufortccc.edu. Title IX protects students and employees from discrimination based on sex, gender, or gender identity, sexual harassment, and sexual assault in college programs and activities.

Through these activities, BCCC hopes to create an atmosphere of healing and belonging that is free of violence so that students can fulfill their potential and achieve their dreams.