On average, sexual victimization occurs once every three minutes in Ohio. That is more than 550 incidents per day. Sexual assault is not limited to age, ethnicity, geography or economics. It occurs daily in businesses, at schools, in parks and streets, and to children and elders.
To bring attention to this pervasive problem, April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). The Cocoon, as Wood County’s comprehensive domestic and sexual violence agency, and the Center for Women and Gender Equity at Bowling Green State University, are leading the local community’s actions with a series of informative events to both raise awareness and give voice to survivors of domestic violence. All are open to the public.
Events include:
- April 1-30: Teal ribbon display begins in downtown Perrysburg along Louisiana Avenue. These teal ribbons are the symbols of SAAM.
- April 2: BGSU SAAM Yarn Storming, BGSU Student Oval, 2:30-4 p.m.
- April 4: Bowling Green Take Back the Night, BGSU Jerome Library, Pallistor Room, 5:45-10 p.m.
- April 9: “What Were You Wearing” Exhibit, BGSU Student Union, Room 207, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
- April 12: SAAM 5K & Dog Walk, BGSU Student Recreation Center, 9:30 a.m. Registration at https://www.bgsu.edu/recwell/wellness-connection/annual-sa-awareness-month-5k-and-dog-walk.html
- April 23: The Clothesline Project, BGSU Student Oval 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., weather permitting. Rain date is April 24.
- April 30: Denim Day 2025, support survivors by wearing denim and protest rape culture.
The 5K is co-planned by the Center for Women and Gender Equity and the Office of Health and Wellness, with proceeds benefitting BGSU Gender Violence Prevention and Education Services and The Cocoon.
The first yarn storming event was started by the Center for Women and Gender Equity and Gender Violence Prevention and Education Services in 2021, when one bench was covered. Participants met via Zoom, teal yarn was mailed out to people, who then mailed their pieces back. Pieces have been added each year since then. The event involves community groups, faculty members, staff and students.
The Cocoon has served as a beacon of hope to survivors of domestic and sexual violence, their children and even their pets since 2005. To learn more about The Cocoon visit thecocoon.org.
Information about the Center for Women and Gender Equity at BGSU can be found at https://www.bgsu.edu/womens-center/about-the-center.html and Gender Violence Prevention and Education Services: https://www.bgsu.edu/womens-center/resources-and-services/violence-prevention.html
