April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Sexual misconduct has no place in our working, living, and learning environment and is absolutely unacceptable. We want to assure you that we, at Florida Poly, are committed to preventing all forms of sexual misconduct and to supporting survivors. Creating a positive, healthy environment for our faculty, staff, and students is our number one goal.
Everyone has a voice and it’s important to understand that it takes each person coming together to end sexual misconduct.
During this month, we want to show support for survivors and continue the conversation to end sexual violence.
Wednesday, April 24 is Denim Day! Wear something denim, take a photo in your denim with hashtag #denimday to show your support. Please meet at noon at the Wellness Center patio for a group picture.
Denim Day is an internationally known observance in which people are encouraged to wear jeans to raise awareness of the misconceptions that surround sexual violence. During Sexual Assault Awareness Month, we as Florida Poly Phoenixes want to show our support in the fight to end sexual assault.
Why denim? After a ruling by the Italian Supreme Court where a rape conviction was overturned because the justices felt that since the victim was wearing tight jeans, she must have helped the person who raped her remove her jeans, thereby implying consent. The following day, the women in the Italian Parliament came to work wearing jeans in solidarity with the victim.
For more information, click here.
We want to strongly encourage all members of the campus community to promptly report sexual misconduct to the Title IX Coordinator, Michelle Disson. Here is the Online Report Form.
As a reminder, there are resources available:
For students:
- On-campus: contact BayCare for an appoinment
- Off-campus: Peace River Center
For employees:
- Employee Assistance Program administered by BayCare
- Peace River Center
If you have any questions or would like further information, feel free to contact Michelle Disson.
Thank you for your commitment to our University and for standing up against sexual assault, especially during this time of awareness.