Each year, ACC participates in multiple events to recognize Sexual Assault Awareness Month, including Take Back the Night and Denim Day.
Take Back The Night | Thursday, April 28
The college hosts its annual Take Back The Night (TBTN) event Thursday, April 28, 2022, from 3 – 6:30 p.m. at ACC Highland Campus, Room 1550.
The event, held every year during Sexual Assault Awareness Month, offers students a safe space to take a stand against sexual assault and interpersonal violence and listen to survivor stories, share their own experiences if they choose, and learn about helpful resources.
The event includes a keynote address, speak out session, vendor fair, and more. Hanna Senko, survivor and community advocate, will be the host throughout the evening, and Menaka Chandurkar, with the Asian Family Support Services of Austin, will be the keynote speaker.
TBTN is hosted by Student Life in partnership with the Office of Equal Opportunity and Compliance and District Clinical Counseling. The entire ACC community is invited to attend.
Resources available onsite:
- ACC Clinical Counselors
- ACC Office of Equal Opportunity Compliance
- ACC Police Department Victim’s Assistance
- Healthy Futures of Texas Bae-B-Safe program at ACC
- Asian Family Support Services of Austin | 24-hour line: 877-281-8371
- BRAVE Alliance | 24-hour line: 512-738-8817
- HOPE Alliance | 24-hour line: 800-460-SAFE (7233)
- Integral Care | 24-hour crisis line: 512-472-HELP (4357)
- Lifeworks Austin | 512-735-2100
- SAFE Alliance | 24-hour line: 512-267-SAFE (7233); Text: 737-888-7233
- Austin Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI)
According to the TBTN Foundation:
- 1 in 3 women worldwide experience some form of sexual violence or intimate partner violence
- 1 in 6 men experience sexual violence
- 2 in 3 transgender people have been sexually assaulted
- People in the LGBTQIA+ community are more likely to experience sexual violence
- Less than 50% of victims report these crimes
This event falls under the Compliance & Awareness category of events, as required by Chapter 8 of the Handbook for Campus Safety and Security Reporting (The Clery Act).
Denim Day | Wednesday, April 27
In addition to TBTN, ACC Student Life also will participate in national Denim Day on Wednesday, April 27, 2022. The event is a way to support survivors of sexual assault and educate the community about all forms of sexual violence. Participants are invited to visit any campus Student Life Office on that day to get a sign that reads “I wear Denim for Survivors and Victims” and post why they are wearing denim on social media with the hashtag #takeastand.
Learn more at www.denimdayinfo.org.
If you or someone you know is struggling with domestic violence or sexual assault, you can reach out to the Title IX Office. Below are additional resources available to students and employees.
Austin Community College District Resources:
- ACC Clinical Counselors – austincc.edu/students/counseling
- District Title IX Officer, Charlene Buckley – To report incidents of sexual misconduct or sexual violence, please email [email protected], call 512-223-7964, or make an online report at austincc.edu/report-an-incident
Community Emergency Resources:
- SAFE Austin
Phone: 512-264-7233
Text Line: 737-888-7233
Chat: safeaustin.org/chat
*Se habla Español, deaf, deaf-blind, deaf-disabled, and hard of hearing assistance available.
- National Domestic Violence Hotline
Phone: 1-800-799-7233
Text: “LOVEIS” to 2252
Chat: thehotline.org
*Se habla Español
Visit the ACC Title IX website for more information and resources.