FSU Alpha Chi Omega

Sexual Assault Awareness Month

April is National Sexual Assault Awareness Month. As part of our philanthropic mission, Alpha Chi Omegas are dedicated to educating ourselves on and raising awareness about the prevalence of sexual violence and supporting survivors, not just in April but year-round. Be sure to check out our previous post about raising awareness and supporting survivors here.

In this post, we will cover, ways to take action and ways to reflect and remember.

TAKING ACTION

BYSTANDER INTERVENTION

There are many ways to take action to eradicate sexual violence, and it all starts with prevention. The only person responsible for committing sexual assault is a perpetrator, but all of us can look out for each other’s safety. Learn about your role in preventing sexual assault using bystander intervention!

ADVOCACY AND SERVICE

Research the laws in your state and advocate for the changes you want to see! Learn about public policy and political action related to sexual violence and prevention.

If you are interested in direct service, contact a local care provider or shelter to see what their needs are. Consider collecting requested items for donation or volunteering as an advocate.

Find local sexual assault service providers through the National Sexual Violence Resource Center.
Find local domestic violence assistance providers through the National Domestic Violence Hotline.

REFLECTION AND REMEMBRANCE

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27: DENIM DAY

Join Alpha Chi Omega in supporting the victims and survivors of sexual assault by wearing denim on Wednesday, April 27!

Nearly 25 years ago, the Italian Supreme Court overturned a rape conviction because the justices felt that since the survivor was wearing tight jeans, she must have helped her rapist remove them, thereby implying consent. Since then, wearing jeans on Denim Day around the world has become a symbol of protest against flawed and destructive attitudes about sexual assault and a way to raise awareness during Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Learn more about the history of Denim Day.

Through our work to end sexual assault, we continue our commitment to our national philanthropy of domestic violence awareness. Together, we can continue to fight against unhealthy relationships and build healthy relationships.

F YOU OR ANYONE YOU KNOW HAS BEEN IMPACTED BY SEXUAL ASSAULT OR IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT SEXUAL VIOLENCE, YOU CAN REACH OUT TO RAINN VIA ITS 24/7 CONFIDENTIAL CHAT AND CALL HOTLINE. NATIONAL SEXUAL ASSAULT HOTLINE – 800-656-HOPE (4673) | LIVE CHAT

Sexual Assault Awareness Month

April is National Sexual Assault Awareness Month. As part of our philanthropic mission, Alpha Chi Omegas are dedicated to educating ourselves on and raising awareness about the prevalence of sexual violence and supporting survivors, not just in April but year-round. Join our sisters in this commitment by supporting national awareness campaigns, participating in educational opportunities, and protesting sexual violence on Denim Day!

RAISING AWARENESS

Did you know that Sexual Assault Awareness Month has been recognized nationally since the early 2000s? In order for us to serve as the best advocates for a future free from violence, we have to understand our current realities and the past that led us to this point.

Learn about the history of SAAM from the National Sexual Violence Resource Center and find information on current statistics and the prevalence of sexual violence from our partners at RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network).

Use this information to raise awareness about this issue early in the month and don’t forget to join us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to keep up with headquarters initiatives throughout the month of April. Also, be sure to tag @AlphaChiOmegaHQ in your posts about sexual assault awareness!

SUPPORTING SURVIVORS

LEARN HOW TO “TALK” WITH A LOVED ONE ABOUT SEXUAL VIOLENCE

Often, people want to help survivors but might not know where to start. Whether someone in your life has disclosed a sexual assault to you or you just want to be prepared, take the time this month to learn about survivor response. Learn how to “TALK” about sexual violence.

There are other resources available to help you navigate as you support the survivors in your life and in your community, as well:

Utilize the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800-656-HOPE, online.rainn.org, and rainn.org/es), which will connect you with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area.
Take part in RAINN Day on April 13 and spread awareness in your community!

Alpha Chi Omega believes in survivors. Use these affirmative graphics to show your support for survivors and show your community that you are committed to speaking up about sexual violence.

Sports Communications, Marketing & Management

Our sisters work so hard, and they get rewarded! The best combination in life is qork with a side of fun! This is Sammi (freshman, also Alpha Chi legacy from UMD), Alexis (senior, writer for Osceola News-Gazette), Meredith (sophomore, VP FO), and also attending Kennedy (senior, president of Sport Management Student Association). They are working for the NCAA Men’s Final Four Tournament and enjoyed the opportunity to help at the Music Fest.

Stress: “Never give up on yourself” (Chi Connection)

Thanks Kait for facilitating some helpful and engaging Chi Connection events this semester. Our last March session we talked about stress and enjoyed a special speaker Kait engaged from Garnet & Gold Society. Kana overcame PTSD and anxiety resulting from a sexual assault when she was a freshman. She urged sisters not to stay in “the dark place*. She found success from a mentor who recommended therapy where she learned about other survivors and the healing ensuing from journaling. She reminded us we must ask for help to find that light.

Kait led us through some exercises on “What is Mental Health and Stress?”

Sisterhood Retreat at Six Flags

With mid-terms behind us and finals ahead – our VP Membership Programming, Leah and Sisterhood Chair, Maya planned a getaway for the day to Six Flags over Georgia. Nearly 200 sisters meet at 518 at 4:30 AM, grabbed a breakfast-to-go bag prepared by the Membership Programming Committee – complete with a drink, fruit, bagel, etc. and got on a bus headed to Georgia. Once there we enjoyed the day at the theme park, included in the ticket was a snack, bottle of water and lunch. After a day of fun, we grabbed dinner to go and headed to the buses to head back to Tallahassee! Great memories were made!

2022 – Bonds that last a lifetime

As we inch closers to the closing of 518, knowing the current facility will be torn down and the rebuild will take place. We are taking time to celebrate every day and the decades of sisters who have walked the halls at 518. When sisters ranging from the 1950s and 60s asked if they could visit Tallahassee for a weekend reunion and spend time at the chapter house, of course, our chapter advisor, Britain worked to make this happen. She partnered with BH, Aggie ’67 and they worked to plan weekend events for those attending

Friday night the sisters meet at a suite Aggie had reserved at the hotel for drinks, appetizers and spent time catching up – sharing memories from their time in the chapter and looking at photos, scrapbooks, and even new member manuals.

Saturday – the ladies meet at 518 for lunch, followed by time spent touring the chapter house, taking photos, and sharing stories .. oh if the walls of 518 could talk. Saturday evening the group went to dinner at Table 23

Sunday the ladies visited 518 for brunch, photos and to sign the wall of the beloved 518. All promised to come back in 2023 for a reunion in the new house..

The weekend was a true testament to Alpha Chi Omega being bonds that last a lifetime..

Initiation MC S21

We had so much fun initiating Caroline, Jensen, Kacie, and Kailyn! They are all super friendly and have been quick to join all our activities and embrace all Alpha Chi has to offer. It is always special to share our ritual through Initiation, and especially nice when it is a small MC. CONGRATULATIONS to them and thank you Emma and the Ritual and Fraternity Relations committee and Marni and the New Member Education committee.

MacDowell Month Sister Spotlights

MacDowell Month: “Named for the MacDowell artists’ artist residency program in New Hampshire (Alpha Chi Omega’s first philanthropic project), this month also honors our Founders’ heritage as musicians…”

We asked our talented sisters to share some of their #finearts passion: Art majors, dancers, designers: How did you celebrate MacDowell Month?