Sexual Assault Awareness Month Events Set in SBC

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and there are events going on all over town to educate the public about this serious issue.

The Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE) staff at the Caddo Parish Coroner's Office will take part in an event Friday, April 22, at University Health. It's called 'Teal Out,' and it runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Acute Care Clinic and Forensic Nurse Examiners of Louisiana will paint the hospital teal, the color that represents Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

According to a Coroner's Office news release, SAFEs are registered nurses or medical doctors trained to provide comprehensive care to patients of sexual violence. They're trained to identify physical trauma, document injuries, collect forensic evidence and maintain the chain of custody, and provide necessary referrals.

Here's the rest of the schedule of events, which are open to the public:

Saturday, April 2
Shop Talk
10 a.m. at Bos-Man's Barber World, 3544 Greenwood Road in Shreveport
"Let's Talk, Engaging Men" is part of a community-based dialogue series focusing on sexual assault

Monday, April 4
Campus Sexual Assault presentation
11 a.m. at the LSUS University Center Ballroom

Tuesday, April 5
Day of Action Kickoff and Proclamation for local Sexual Assault Awareness Month events
10:45 a.m. at Bossier Parish Community College Building A, at the flagpole near the art gallery

Student Awareness Event 'It Could Happen to You' with guest speaker Valorie Lurry
Noon at the LSU Health Medical Auditorium Room 1/400
(RSVPs are required to the SAVE Office at 318-813-7283 or by email to shvSAVE@lsuhsc.edu)

Wednesday, April 6
Barksdale Air Force Base Theater Group Performance
11 a.m. at LSUS Student Union

Thursday, April 7
Multi-sensory/fine art photography exhibit of personal stories of sexual assault survivors, opening reception
5:30-8:30 p.m. at artspace, 710 Texas Street in Shreveport
(The show runs for 30 days)

Saturday, April 9
'Campus Convo' for coaches, athletic directors and athletes/males from all disciplines
10:45 a.m. at Whited Room at Centenary College
This is another part of the series 'Let's Talk, Engaging Men'
(Cost for brunch is $7.50 for Centenary students, $9 for all others)

Monday, April 11
Proclamation/opening ceremony of Crime Victims' Rights Week
11 a.m. at the U.S. Federal Courthouse, 300 Fannin Street in Shreveport

Wednesday, April 13
Barksdale Air Force Base Theater Group performance/community proclamation presentation
9:45 a.m. at Southern University Shreveport, 3050 MLK Drive

'Let's Talk, Engaging Men' series diaolgue session about sexual assault
5:30 p.m. at the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club on Pershing Boulevard

Wednesday, April 20
'Sexual Assault and the Law: Sexual Assault Protective Orders, CVR, Victim Assistance Program'
1 p.m. at the Bossier Parish Sheriff's Office's Viking Drive Substation
(Overview of new laws and implementation, impact on survivors, communities and other criminal justice services for victims of sexual violence)

Friday, April 22
Awareness walk with survivor stories
4 p.m. on Barksdale Air Force Base

Webster Parish Legal Clinic with District Judge Jeff Cox
1 p.m. at the United Way of Northwest Louisiana, 202 Miller Street in Minden

Throughout the month of April, the 'Outlier Mini Film Fest' will show films designed to raise public awareness of sexual assault and other family violence issues. Screenings are at 5:45 p.m. and you can find the days and films being shown at Shreve Memorial Library's downtown branch.

If you need more information or would like to volunteer to help with any of the events, call Angela Henderson at Project Celebration at 364-6062.