Signs on seats 'speak out'

As part of an ongoing campaign, SpeakOut put up posters in the largest lecture halls on campus that read: “[One] in 4 women is a survivor of sexual assault by the time she graduates college. SpeakOut.”

The posters depicted four female stick figures, one of whom stands apart from the rest “to call attention to the alarming incidence of sexual assault on university campuses, including our own,” SpeakOut president Lady Adjepong ’09 said in an e-mail.

Adjepong explained that the posters are meant to change the status quo at the University.

“Our hope is that, by confronting the university community with these unsettling statistics, we can challenge the community to work together towards the creation of a safer environment on our campus,” she said.

A safe sexual environment, “in which sexual violence is not tolerated,” is not the responsibility of a select few community members, she noted.

“Our message is that everyone can and should contribute ... by being a friend and not a bystander,” she said.

In another effort to raise awareness, Adjepong said the group plans to line Prospect Avenue with candles next month.