As reported on Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN):

• Every 68 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted.
• One out of every 6 American women has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape in their lifetime.
• About 3% of American men — or 1 in 33 — have experienced an attempted or completed rape in their
• Among undergraduate students, 26.4% of females and 6.8% of males experience rape or sexual assault through physical force, violence, or incapacitation.

During the month of April 2023, we will be sponsoring opportunities for you to increase awareness about sexual assault and what you can do to change the statistics.

Events

Plan now to participate in the following events:

April Teal Up LLCC Campus – April 3-7

This event is a collaborative event hosted by LLCC Student Life and Compliance and Prevention.

During the first week in April, we will be tying teal ribbons all over campus to increase awareness of sexual assault. You may participate by joining one of the student organizations scheduled to teal up LLCC or you may contact Nikki Baker in Compliance and Prevention, nikki.baker@llcc.edu to create your own informal group.

Book Giveaway – April 10, 9:30-11:30 a.m.

The “Sexual Citizens: A Landmark Study of Sex, Power, and Assault on Campus” book give away is in partnership with Prairie Center Against Sexual Assault (PCASA).

Stop by A. Lincoln Commons and pick up a copy of “Sexual Citizens,” a book that is described as transforming “our understanding of sexual assault.”  Books are made available by PCASA. Additional books will also be available in Outreach Center locations.

Book Discussion – April 13, 12:30-1:30 p.m.

A discussion on information from “Sexual Citizens” will be held in A. Lincoln Commons and via Teams.

This unique learning opportunity will be facilitated by Dr. Karen Sisk. Join students, faculty and staff as we learn and discuss more about an excerpt from “Sexual Citizens.”  Participants are encouraged to bring their lunches and a smart device to participate in an electronic conversation. Light snacks and water will be provided.

This event is a collaborative event hosted by LLCC Student Life and Compliance and Prevention.

Learn About Consent – April 18, 11:30 a.m.

Shelley Vaughn from PCASA will present in A. Lincoln Commons and via Teams.

Frequently we are reminded that “No means no.” During this presentation, we will also learn that the absence of “No” doesn’t mean “Yes.”

Denim Day – April 26

Donate to PCASA and participate in National Denim Day! This event is hosted by SGA.

Denim Day is an annual, national day of awareness that encourages participants to wear denim as a symbol of believing survivors and asserting that consent has nothing to do with your clothing. Donate a minimum of $5 to PCASA and purchase a sticker to wear denim on National Denim Day 2023. Donations will be accepted in LLCC Student Life and the Outreach Center locations.

More Information

Additional information and resources on sexual assault are available on LLCC’s website, You may also contact Nikki Baker, compliance and prevention at nikki.baker@llcc.edu or 217-786-3426.

January 2023 is the 19^th annual National Stalking Awareness Month.

Stalking, Prevention, Awareness and Resource Center (SPARC) reminds us that 92% of college age stalking survivors who seek help will seek help from family and/or friends.  To help you help those who are surviving, we share these tips from SPARC:

• Believe and validate victims.
• Focus on the offender’s actions, not the victim’s responses.
• Support the victim and encourage them to seek help and document the stalking.
• Respect the victim’s privacy.
• Refer them to resources to make an individual safety plan and learn more about stalking.
• Check in with them and a be a source of support.

For additional details on supporting loved ones who are stalking survivors, check out the resources at https://www.stalkingawareness.org/for-friends-loved-ones/.

Know It. Name It. Stop It.

January 2023 is the 19^th annual National Stalking Awareness Month.

Learn facts about stalking on college campuses in this short video from Stalking, Prevention, Awareness & Resource Center (SPARC) of Aequitas.

Information resources, support and options about stalking may be found on the LLCC website.

Know It. Name It. Stop It.

January 2023 is the 19^th annual National Stalking Awareness Month.

This short video from Stalking, Prevention, Awareness and Resource Center (SPARC) reminds us of the behaviors which constitutes stalking and reminds us that stalking is not romantic, it is frightening, invasive and can be dangerous. While the word “stalking” is tossed around casually, stalking is serious and a crime.

Know It. Name It. Stop It.

This January marks the 19th annual National Stalking Awareness Month. This graphic highlights facts about stalking on college campuses:

During the month, we will share information on stalking so we can: Know It. Name It. Stop it.

If you have any questions about stalking, need additional information about available resources or to make a stalking report, you may contact Nikki Baker, compliance and prevention coordinator, at 217-786-3426 or nikki.baker@llcc.edu.

Thank you to everyone for learning about domestic violence, those who survive domestic violence and those who don’t, how to support survivors and steps you can take to help put a cap on domestic violence. Because of your willingness to learn and become more aware, we created messages of support for survivors and donated almost 200 dental hygiene items to Sojourn Shelter & Services, Inc. We amplified the stories of a survivor and honored the memory of domestic violence victims. If you missed Jolene Lamb sharing her personal domestic violence survival story, you may watch the recording. If you were unable to attend the Silent Witness display from Sojourn, you may watch a video sharing the stories of those featured in the display.

Ralph Waldo Emerson and Oliver Wendell Holmes are both credited with the quote, “The mind, once stretched by a new idea, never returns to its original dimensions.” We encourage you to continue to stretch your mind about domestic violence, its survivors and victims and how you will help. Questions concerning Domestic Violence Awareness Month may be directed to Nikki Baker, compliance and prevention coordinator at nikki.baker@llcc.edu or 217-786-3426.

Supporting survivors emotionally and materially is a great step in putting a cap on domestic violence. Here are some other options:

If you want to learn more, consider getting involved with policy making and legislation. Information about domestic violence initiatives is available on the National Domestic Violence Hotline.

Consider becoming an advocate. The Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence reminds us that everyone can be an advocate. There are resources to start your advocacy journey on their website.

Support your local domestic violence agency or shelter. In the LLCC district, here are some options:

• Sojourn Shelters & Services, Inc. – Springfield, serving: Sangamon, Logan, Christian, Montgomery and Menard counties.
• Crisis Center Foundation – Jacksonville
• Dove, Inc. – Decatur, serving DeWitt, Macon, Moultrie, Shelby and Piatt counties
• Community Hope and Recovery Center – Beardstown

Remember, our website has information on rights and resources for survivors of domestic violence.

Questions concerning Domestic Violence Awareness Month may be directed to Nikki Baker, compliance and prevention coordinator at nikki.baker@llcc.edu or 217-786-3426.

Reminder: We are accepting donations of dental hygiene items, e.g., toothpaste, toothbrushes, floss, etc., for Sojourn Shelter & Services survivor families. Donations may be dropped off at LLCC Student Life (lower level of Menard Hall, Room 0009). Outreach Centers will also be accepting donations.

Remember, rights and resources for survivors of domestic violence are available on our website.

Questions concerning Domestic Violence Awareness Month may be directed to Nikki Baker, compliance and prevention coordinator at nikki.baker@llcc.edu or 217-786-3426.

Remember to join us today, 8:30-10:30 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. in A. Lincoln Commons to support survivors of domestic violence by writing support messages on miniature pumpkins. Don’t worry if you can’t think of the right words, we have sample messages for you to use. When finished, you may take the pumpkin with you, or donate it to share with survivors at LLCC and at Sojourn Shelter.

Remember, rights and resources for survivors of domestic violence are available on our website.

Questions concerning Domestic Violence Awareness Month may be directed to Nikki Baker, compliance and prevention coordinator at nikki.baker@llcc.edu or 217-786-3426.