It's On Us: Miami promotes awareness about sexual assault prevention

Miami joins the national awareness initiative, "It's On Us," to stop sexual assault and interpersonal violence on campus.

The initiative, launched by President Barack Obama, was created to make sexual assault prevention a priority at many schools across the country. It encourages students to speak out and take action to prevent sexual assault crimes.

Miami created its own version that includes a week of activities (March 2-6) to promote the cause.

Miami’s official launch took place Monday, March 2, in the Armstrong Student Center where students signed a pledge and received free shirts to further promote the campaign.

The documentary, “It Happened Here,” will be screened 7 p.m. Thursday, March 5, at Taylor Auditorium in the Farmer School of Business. The film explores sexual assault on college campuses through the personal testimonials of survivors. A discussion will follow the screening.

Both the men’s basketball team and the men’s hockey team joined in the efforts to promote the cause this week. Students are encouraged to wear their T-shirts all day Friday, March 6, and during the men’s hockey game 6:30 p.m. at Goggin Ice Arena.

Miami strongly encourages students to take appropriate action if sexual assault happens. Information is available on Miami’s website about sexual assault and where to turn for help on Miami’s campus.

The national campaign offers the following tips to help students be part of the solution.

  1. Talk to your friends honestly and openly about sexual assault.
  2. Don't just be a bystander — if you see something, intervene in any way you can.
  3. Trust your gut. If something looks like it might be a bad situation, it probably is.
  4. Be direct. Ask someone who looks like they may need help if they're ok.
  5. Get someone to help you if you see something — enlist a friend, RA, bartender or host to help step in.
  6. Keep an eye on someone who has had too much to drink.
  7. If you see someone who is too intoxicated to consent, enlist their friends to help them leave safely.
  8. Recognize the potential danger of someone who talks about planning to target another person at a party.
  9. Be aware if someone is deliberately trying to intoxicate, isolate or corner someone else.
  10. Get in the way by creating a distraction, drawing attention to the situation or separating them.
  11. Understand that if someone does not or cannot consent to sex, it's rape.
  12. Never blame the victim.

To learn more about the campaign and take the pledge, please visit www.itsonus.org.

Sponsors of Miami's events include Associated Student Government, student health services, I Am Miami and the women’s center.