The Cocoon, Wood County’s only comprehensive domestic and sexual violence agency, will be hosting several community events throughout the month of April in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month.
While it is The Cocoon’s mission to raise awareness about domestic and sexual violence throughout the year, April is a time when the community at large has an opportunity to honor the courage and strength of survivors of sexual violence, and to stand in solidarity with them as they share their stories and work to create communities that no longer tolerate abuse.
The following awareness events will be hosted during April:
April – All Month
Wood County Clothesline Project and Window Display, 112 S. Main St., Bowling Green
Wednesday, April 5, 3 p.m.
BGSU SAAM Yarn Storming of Campus, BGSU Student Union
Teal colored yarn crafts will be placed around the center of BGSU’s campus and will be on display during the month of April. There is no cost to attend this event and it is open to the public.
Wednesday, April 12, and Thursday, April 13, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
What Were You Wearing Exhibit, BGSU Student Union Room 208
This display features actual outfits worn by survivors of sexual assault and is meant to help dispel the myth that what a survivor was wearing caused the assault. There is no cost to view the exhibit and it is open to the public.
Saturday, April 15, Packet Pick Up Begins at 9 a.m.
Sexual Assault Awareness 5k and Dog Walk, BGSU Student Rec Center, 1411 Ridge St.
Join the Center for Violence Prevention and Education, Center for Women and Gender Equity, Dept. of Recreation and Wellness, and the Wellness Connection for this annual event benefiting the Center for Violence Prevention and Education and The Cocoon.
Registration required: https://events.bgsu.edu/event/saam_5k_and_dog_walk
Wednesday, April 19, 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Wood County Clothesline Project, BGSU Student Union
This display of T-shirts made by survivors of domestic and sexual violence, or their loved ones, represents hundreds of survivors and those who have lost their lives to violence in Wood County. There is no cost to view this display and it is open to the public.
Wednesday, April 26, All Day
National Denim Day
April 26 marks the 25th celebration of National Denim Day in the US. National Denim Day started as a campaign against sexual assault apologists. In the summer of 1998 in Italy, an 18-year-old woman was sexually assaulted by her 45-year-old driving instructor. His conviction was eventually overturned as his appeal was based on his assertion that the woman’s jeans were so tight that he could not have removed them on his own, making the sex consensual. The next day, Italian women showed up in jeans to their workplaces as a way to protest the absurdity of the overturned sentence. The Cocoon encourages supporters to wear denim April 26 and share the story of the significance of National Denim Day.
To learn more about Sexual Assault Awareness Month and how you can support survivors, visit www.thecocoon.org or call 419-373-1730, ext. 1002.
