Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Every April, Sexual Violence Response (SVR) observes Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) by remembering, honoring, and celebrating survivors, advocates, and activists through programming and events affirming that sexual assault has no place in the Columbia University community.
Events
Join the Columbia community for a host of awareness, education, and advocacy events aimed at preventing sexual violence and fostering a respectful community.
Click the event name for more information:
Tuesday, March 25
12 - 1:30 p.m.
Virtual
Tuesday, April 1
12:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Lerner 555
Registration not required, RSVP encouraged
Wednesday, April 30
Lerner Ramps: 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Kravis Hall: 12:30 – 2:00 p.m.
CUIMC Events
These events are open to CUIMC students, faculty, and staff.
Wednesday, April 30
11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Hammer LL1 Lobby
Columbia University makes every effort to accommodate individuals with disabilities. If you require event accommodations, please contact Disability Services at [email protected] at least 5 days in advance.
There is no place for sexual assault in our community. Together, we must support survivors through their healing journey, amplify the voices and conversations of communities who have been left out of the discussion, reinforce a sense of community, and come together to build a future without sexual assault.
Download a SAAM Zoom background:
Right-click on the image, click "Save Image As...", and add to Zoom!
Get Involved
Volunteer
Learn about becoming a peer educator or peer advocate.
Spread the word on social media.
Share SVR's Facebook posts throughout April or post your own!
Event Descriptions
When: Tuesday, March 25, 12 - 1:30 p.m.
Where: Zoom
Ever wanted to learn how to be an active bystander, better ally, ambassador of enthusiastic consent, and empathetic supporter of survivors of violence all at the same time?
In this fun, engaging, and interactive program, you will learn:
- How to hone your intuition and situational awareness,
- Active bystander, allyship, and verbal de-escalation skills,
- What enthusiastic consent is and how to set boundaries, and
- “Badass Basics,” a.k.a. basic self-defense, and how to sign up for a full-contact adrenaline-based self-defense course near you!
Safety, Assertiveness, Violence Prevention, and Empowerment (S.A.V.E.) is a gender-inclusive program that employs everything the organization Girls Fight Back has learned about campus safety over the past 18 years and is presented by a speaker who is trained in self-defense, personal safety, and victim advocacy.
Duration: 90 minutes
About the speaker
Nicole Snell (she/her) is a dynamic, award-winning international speaker, TEDx Speaker, facilitator, trainer, author, and self-defense expert specializing in sexual assault and violence prevention education, gender-based violence prevention, personal safety, and empowerment-based self-defense. She is committed to ending violence in all of its forms by educating others with self-defense skills and advocating for change. She is the current CEO of Girls Fight Back.
About the organization
Girls Fight Back is the world-renowned personal safety and empowerment self-defense program for women and girls since 2001.
When: Tuesday, April 1, 12:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Where: Lerner 555
No registration required—just drop by! But if you’d like to let us know you’re coming, RSVP to help us plan.
Take a much-needed pause from your studies and immerse yourself in a world of relaxation and mindfulness at the Self-Care Fair.
Join us for an enriching experience where you can create your personalized self-care kit, build with LEGOs, express yourself through painting, and test your knowledge with quiz games for a chance to win prizes.
Unwind with mindfulness activities led by Counseling and Psychological Services, explore stress management and sleep hygiene tips with Alice! Health Promotion, and relax in a calming space. Treat yourself to ice cream, make a friendship bracelet, and enjoy a variety of food and beverages.
This rejuvenating event is exclusively open to Columbia students (including affiliates). Mark your calendars and let us help you unwind and decompress.
Who can attend?
This event is open to all currently registered Columbia students, including those from affiliate schools. Please RSVP using the University Events Calendar.
Co-sponsored by University Life
When: Wednesday, April 30, 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Where and When:
Lerner Ramps - 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Kravis Hall: 12:30 – 2:00 p.m.
Join us in taking a stand against sexual violence on Denim Day 2025 – whether in person or virtually. By wearing denim, you’re making it clear: there is no excuse for sexual assault or rape, especially not what someone was wearing.
Stop by to take the Denim Day Pledge, participate in some myth busting, and have the SVR Peer Educators take your photo for social media. You can share why you wear denim and your commitment to creating a community of compassion and accountability – where survivors are believed and supported.
Learn more about the history of Denim Day.
Unable to make it in person? Take the pledge online and upload your Denim Day photos for us to share, or tag @columbiahealth on Instagram to share why you wear denim.
The Columbia community is welcome to attend.
CUIMC Event Descriptions
When: Wednesday, April 30, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Where: Hammer LL1
Join us in taking a stand against sexual violence on Denim Day 2025 – whether in person or virtually. By wearing denim, you’re making it clear: there is no excuse for sexual assault or rape, especially not what someone was wearing.
Stop by to take the Denim Day Pledge, participate in some myth busting, and have the SVR team take your photo for social media. You can share why you wear denim and your commitment to creating a community of compassion and accountability – where survivors are believed and supported.
Learn more about the history of Denim Day.
Unable to make it in person? You can take the pledge here and upload your Denim Day photos for us to share, or tag @columbiahealth on Instagram to share why you wear denim.
The CUIMC community is welcome to attend.