The Signal

Issue date: 4/30/08 Section: Campus Life

Media Credit: Katie Martin The pantyline clothes line

Students were seen coloring in paper cut-outs of bras and underwear in the quad Wednesday, April 23, in an effort to promote awareness for sexual assault and rape. These cut outs were messages reflecting students' feelings about sexual assault. The whole event was put on by the Associated Students Inc. Wellness and Recreation staff along with the Health Center.

The Pantyline Project, hanging underwear up as a sign of protest, is part of the coalition behind Sexual Assault Awareness Month which takes place in April in order to support awareness and information on rape and sexual harassment.

Aimee Powers, ASI program assistant, came up with the idea for the Pantyline. "We went to a conference in Texas where they had the clothesline about sexual assault for Denim Day and we decided to bring it back to our school."

Along with the colorful display of underwear with messages ranging from "My goodies, not your goodies," and "Dream on," brochures and hand outs were available.

One such handout raises awareness for Denim Day, which, according to the flier got its start from an 18-year-old girl in Italy who was sexually assaulted by her driving instructor during her very first lesson.

After he was arrested for rape and sentenced to jail he appealed the sentence, which was overturned by the Italian Supreme Court, allowing the perpetrator to go free.

The Chief Judge argued that "because the victim wore very, very tight jeans, she had to help him remove them, and by removing the jeans it was no longer rape but consensual sex."

In response to this verdict the women of the Italian Parliament began instantaneous action and protested by wearing jeans to work, which led to Denim Day. This court case was in 1992 but the problems of sexual assault and rape are still an issue.

Facts about rape with statistics were available at the ASI Rec. and Wellness table along with brochures to help protect oneself against sexual assault. According to the Crime and Violence Prevention Center there are several tips given to help one avoid becoming a victim of sexual assault.

Among the tips are: travel with a friend, stay in well lighted areas, walk confidently, avoid doorways, bushes or alleys where people can hide, yell "fire" if you are in danger, always lock car doors, and also consider what you would do if you were confronted by a rapist (such as practice possible responses for a given situation).

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools