EASA Plans for National Sexual Assault Month
Exonians Against Sexual Assault (EASA) will be hosting three school-wide events in honor of national Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The student-led organization hopes to foster discussion among students and faculty members to create a safer and more inclusive Academy.
“We just want people to be involved, get a better understanding and carry on these discussions about sexual assault in an open environment."
This April marks the 18th annual Sexual Assault Awareness Month. First nationally observed in 2001, Sexual Assault Awareness Month is dedicated to promoting discussion and awareness about sexual assault and related topics including domestic abuse, misogyny and homophobia. This year, the nationwide slogan of “Embrace Your Voice” emphasizes the importance of words as the means to prevent sexual violence.
Over the course of the past few months, EASA has been working with English Instructor and EASA Adviser Barbara Desmond and Director of Student Well-Being Christina Palmer, as well as outside organizations such as the OneLove Foundation, to host a “Consent Fest” from seven to nine p.m. on Friday, April 13, a screening and discussion of the film “Escalation” on Saturday, April 21 and an open forum on Saturday, April 28.
Additionally, EASA will be asking students in Agora to sign pledges in support of sexual violence survivors and to stand up against sexual violence throughout April.
According to EASA co-head and senior Brian Zhao, the “Consent Fest” will share similarities with ESSO’s Club Night in that students will be able to interact with a variety of booths run by clubs and social groups to learn more about topics pertaining to sexual assault. “We just want people to be involved, get a better understanding and carry on these discussions about sexual assault in an open environment,” Zhao said.
The screening and discussion of the film “Escalation,” which was shown to several student leadership groups earlier this year, will seek to provoke intense emotional discussions about sexual assault. The film follows a teenage couple and the evolution of their relationship in the context of sexual assault. Due to the charged nature of the film, EASA plans to provide a safe space for the films to be watched.
Zhao added that the club may hold a day of discussion to allow students the opportunity to voice their thoughts and opinions about sexual assault topics without the stress of academics.
EASA will also honor “Denim Day” on April 25. This is a day that encourages people to wear denim to symbolize the fight against sexual assault.
EASA has many more goals beyond raising attention through the awareness month, such as pursuing collaborations with organizations centered around sexual violence prevention. EASA has made progress in transitioning the campus into a safer environment with its work thus far.
Desmond described the club as an “independent student group that works closely with (other) students, faculty and administration” and “discusses relevant issues and plan campus initiatives.”
Founded by Claire Dauge-Roth ’17 during the 2016-2017 school year, EASA was a direct response to the publication of sexual assault cases at Exeter—reports which had profound effects on members of the PEA community, both students and faculty.
According to upper Shaan Bhandarkar, one of seven current board members of EASA, many students, including those who work for the EASA board currently, were shocked to learn about the severity and presence of sexual assault at the Academy last year. “After the revelations of the sexual assault cases at Exeter were publicized following my prep year, I found myself confused and frustrated while grappling with this aspect about Exeter I had never truly considered before,” Bhandarkar said.
EASA has sought to address and increase awareness about sexual assault, especially after the sexual misconduct cases came to light. These measures include working with other organizations like Student Council, providing a space on campus for discussion and hosting their own events. Last spring term, EASA organized hour-long dorm discussions to discuss healthy and unhealthy relationships, catcalling and toxic masculinity that may be present at PEA.
In the following year, the club continued its efforts to encourage discussions by visiting prep and lower health classes and hosting conversations on similar issues. Through these discussions, EASA hopes to encourage members of the PEA community to connect and work together to address sexualt assault on and off campus not as bystanders, but as active participants.
Zhao said EASA has revamped its efforts to remind students and faculty about sexual assault and give a voice to those that are affected or concerned by sexual assault. Bhandarkar remained hopeful for the continuation of EASA’s progress, saying, “I truly wish for the future board of EASA to replicate that same sentiment of collaboration.”