ItsOnUs preview
ItsOnUs preview
by Chase Condrone
It’s on us to stop sexual assault. That’s the premise behind the national ItsOnUs awareness campaign which will be partnering with Maryville College on the week of Monday, April 19 through Thurs- day, April 25, for a week of action designed to educate and empower students to stand up to sexual assault on college campuses.
The campaign – which many students may recognize from its distinctive badge and promotional videos, featuring its countless celebrity sponsors and collegiate and corporate partners – stood out to the event’s organizers for several reasons.
Junior David Clifford, one of the co-organizers of the campaign, said, “We wanted to bring some- thing to the college that was really different. Sexual assault is such a prevalent issue on college campuses, and we started discussing it and realized it just isn’t talked about. We couldn’t think of a better organization than ItsOnUs to start the conversation.”
The week of events will be centered around the pledge drive, taking signatures from students in various locations throughout the week and allowing them to sign the pledge online during lunch hours on Wednesday, April 21.
The ItsOnUs pledge reads:
“I pledge…
To RECOGNIZE that non-consensu- al sex is sexual assault.
To IDENTIFY situations in which sexual assault may occur.
To INTERVENE in situations where consent has not or cannot be given.
To CREATE an environment in which sexual assault is unacceptable and survivors are supported.”
According to the campaigns website, itsonus.org, the pledge is “a personal commitment to help keep women and men safe from sexual assault. It is a promise not to be a bystander to the problem, but to be a part of the solution.”
MC’s week of action will feature awareness events, cookouts, a Tuesday teal out, a poster competition and numerous opportunities for students to share their voice and talk about the issue.
The main signature drive will take place outside of Pearsons Dining Hall on Wednesday, April 21 from 11 to 1. Students can stop by to take the pledge, order a t-shirt or be featured in the Maryville College ItsOnUs awareness video be- ing created by the event’s second organizer, Junior Chase Condrone.
All proceeds from t-shirt sales will be going to the national ItsOnUs campaign, and the video will be used by both ItsOnUs and MC to showcase our commitment to the cause.
A Thursday night vigil will show solidarity for the victims of sexual assault, and a Friday evening roundtable discussion will give faculty and students the chance to discuss the issue and make their voices heard.
To get involved or learn more about the issue, check out the ItsOnUs website and stay connected with the campus week of action by using the hashtag #mcitsonus.
Organizations who wish to be involved in the campaign can contact David Clifford or Chase Condrone for further details.