VIDEO: “It’s On Us” Week Begins at College Campuses

MISSISSIPPI STATE, Miss. (WCBI) – Today starts a week-long national movement aimed at raising awareness to sexual assault.

“It’s On Us” week is being held on college campuses across the nation, including ones in our area.

Days of planned instructional sessions and events have been planned to help students not just identify but also defend against these situations.

Monday’s event starts off the week with having people take the pledge to put a stop to sexual assault.

“Sexual assault is an issue that impacts all campuses across the country, and Mississippi State University is not immune to that statistic. And so as part of our “It’s On Us” week, which is a week filled with activities about sexual assault awareness and prevention, this is our first event today,” said event co-director, Sean McCarthy.

The week begins with students taking a pledge to put a stop to sexual assault..

They also learn to take action.

“…on how they can react if they are a bystander to a situation that may alarm them to be sexual assault or if they may see someone who is in danger of being sexually assaulted,” continued McCarthy.

Event directors emphasize that the danger needs to be addressed.

“The issue, sexual assault, is often hidden especially on college campuses, so we think it’s important to bring awareness for the issue and also create allies in our students,” said event co-director, Bria Henderson.

“It’s something that impacts all genders, so it’s not just something that just impact women or just impacts men,” added McCarthy.

The national numbers may seem distant, that’s why organizers want to shine a light on the
local statistics.

“I think last year there were 17 reported cases, but that’s just the reported cases. 17 is still too many, and so people don’t think it can happen until it actually happens to them or someone they know. So we want to make sure that we give students the tools they need to be supportive or to… if it does happen to them they know that they have resources and allies on campus,” said Henderson.

Some of the events in the coming days involve self defense classes, awareness sessions, walks, and coffee socials.

For more information, visit the events section of Mississippi State orgsync.