Providence College Presents Project S.A.V.E. to Focus on Preventing Violence against Women

Five days of special campus activities and events will educate campus community on issues related to sexual assault and violence against women. Program highlights College President's commitment to focus on these important issues in ways appropriate for a Catholic college. Fundraising projects will aid local agencies serving women affected by sexual and domestic violence. Activities include a Mass remembering the victims of sexual and domestic violence; self-defense workshops; a "healthy relationships" resource fair; workshops on understanding sexual assault, the portrayal of women in the media, and living in healthy relationships; dramas based on true stories of sexual assault and date violence; and a "Take Back the Night" open mike and procession. Providence, RI -- Providence College will present Project S.A.V.E. (Sexual Assault and Violence Education), an annual event designed to educate the College community about a wide range of issues related to preventing sexual assault and violence against women, from April 23-27, 2006 on campus. Several fundraising activities - the "Midnight Mile" and sales of special t-shirts and bracelets - are among the planned programs. These funds will be donated to local agencies directly serving women affected by sexual and domestic violence.

In February, College President Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. informed the Providence College community that "instead of producing The Vagina Monologues, the best way for Providence College to work together to combat violence against women is to strengthen its commitment to support Project S.A.V.E."

Father Shanley, who plans to take part in many Project S.A.V.E. events, believes it is important for all members of the College community to focus together on this important issue.

"Let us endeavor to educate the community about the peculiar threat to human dignity that is violence against women," says Father Shanley. "Let us work together for the healing of all who have survived such violence."

Coordinated by the College's Office of Residence Life, Project S.A.V.E. is supported by numerous campus departments, student groups, and outside agencies. These include the Office of Safety and Security, Personal Counseling Center, Office of the Chaplain, Health Center, Women's Studies Program, Women Will, Step I, Sojourner House and Day One (formerly the Sexual Assault & Trauma Resource Center).

Activities and events during the five-day project:

Sunday, April 23, 2006: All-campus cookout on Slavin Lawn. This event will include the "Silent Witness" installation - life-size silhouettes of domestic violence and sexual assault victims. Literature and special Project S.A.V.E. fundraising t-shirts and bracelets will be available. Celebration of Mass, 10:30 p.m. - St. Dominic Chapel. Rev. Joseph J. Guido, O.P., will celebrate a Mass remembering the victims of sexual and domestic violence. The Midnight Mile, 12 a.m. - designated campus course. Fundraising event with general proceeds donated to benefit Sojourner House.

Monday, April 24, 2006: Self-defense Workshops, 5 p.m. - Peterson Center (women); Aquinas Lounge (men). Experts with law enforcement and martial arts training will lead discussions on safety and awareness and present demonstrations of basic self-defense strategy. A Rose by Any Other Name presentation, 8 p.m. - Slavin Center '64 Hall. Nancy Hulse uses her own story, as well as the experiences of other women, to describe what occurs when a rapist is brought to trial. The program reviews how cultural attitudes and the portrayal of women in society contribute to violence and rape, and features music, dance, video segments, poetry and dialogue, and sexual assault statistics. A guided discussion will follow.

Tuesday, April 25, 2006: The Yellow Dress performance, 7 p.m. - Slavin Center '64 Hall. This one-woman play about dating violence and sexual assault is produced by Deanna's Fund, an organization committed to promoting healthy relationships through educational programs. A guided discussion will follow.

Wednesday, April 26, 2006: Healthy Relationship Resource Fair, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. - Raymond Hall Lawn. Information and resources from on- and off-campus departments and organizations including STEP I, S.H.E.P.A.R.D., Women's Studies Program, Women Will, Office of Safety and Security, Personal Counseling Center, Sojourner House, and Day One. Workshops, 7 p.m. - Feinstein Academic Center. Welcome: room 400 Workshop 1: room 209 - Understanding Sexual Assault Workshop 2: room 312 - Women in the Media Workshop 3: room 314 - Living in Healthy Relationships

Thursday, April 27, 2006: "Take Back the Night," 8 p.m. - Feinstein Academic Center Courtyard. Sponsored by the PC student group, Women Will, this annual event features an open mike for individuals to share how sexual violence has impacted their lives or those of friends, and concludes with a candlelight walk to the Campus Ministry Center at St. Dominic Chapel. Resources and advocates will be available on site from Sojourner House and the College's Personal Counseling Center and Office of the Chaplain. The Clothesline Project and Silent Witness - two exhibits that reflect the nature of sexual violence and its victims - will be on display throughout the week, in the Raymond Hall dining facility and at major Project S.A.V.E. events.