Activities Slated for “It’s on Us” Week at TAMIU

Since its inception in 2014, over 440,000 individuals across the U.S. have taken the “It’s on Us” pledge to combat sexual assault on campus. 

For the third year now, Texas A&M International University (TAMIU)  will participate in this national movement with a series of campus events aimed at addressing sexual assault prevention.

Organized through TAMIU’s Equal Opportunity and Diversity Office, each event serves as an opportunity to build a culture that recognizes the responsibility each individual undertakes to end sexual violence.

“We invite students and employees to join us for ‘It’s on Us Week,’ an event with activities aimed at raising awareness of the importance of combating sexual assault. We encourage individuals across our campus and community to join the nationwide movement to end sexual assault on college campuses,” said Lorissa Cortez, director of Equal Opportunity & Diversity and Title IX Coordinator. 

The campus-wide events begin Monday with an “It’s on Us” information fair from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Student Center Rotunda. Several community agencies will be in attendance to provide resources and information on services available to aid sexual assault victims and their families.  

On Tuesday, a Green Dot training session will be offered for TAMIU employees from 2 - 5 p.m. Green Dot training is a bystander intervention program that offers a comprehensive approach to violence prevention.

Wednesday activities include a Talking, Listening and Counseling presentation by Student Counseling and Disability Services on cyber domestic violence at 12 p.m. in the Senator Judith Zaffirini Student Success Center, room 101.

Afterward, a Community Clothesline project will be held from 1 - 4 p.m. in the Dr. F. M. Canseco Hall and Pellegrino Hall Breezeway. The project is an exhibit of T-shirts decorated to honor victims and individuals recovering from sexual assault violence. The clothesline is organized by the University student organization, Delta Xi Nu.

On Thursday, the University will host the 22nd Annual Domestic Violence Conference. Organized by the Webb County Domestic Violence Collation, the day-long meeting brings together key stakeholders and community leaders to address the issue of domestic violence in our local community.

Later, a Not Alone Activity and Information Fair for the campus community is scheduled from 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. in the Dr. F. M. Canseco Hall and Pellegrino Hall courtyard. During the event, individuals will craft messages of encouragement to support survivors of sexual assault. The collected writings will be made into a booklet to support survivors. The event organized by the University student organization, Sigma Tau Delta.

University employees will also participate in Safe Zone Training from 3 - 5 p.m. Safe Zone workshops are opportunities for educators, staff, community members and students to become more aware of issues facing the LGBTQ community.

For additional information, contact Cortez at 956.326.2587, email lorissam.cortez@tamiu.edu, or visit the Office of Compliance in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, Suite 159.

For more about the national “It’s on Us” Campaign, visit http://itsonus.org