One of the scariest aspects of sexual violence is not knowing when you're in the middle of a potentially harmful situation. And the chances of being in such a situation are alarmingly high, officials say.
When most people think about sexual violence, the first thing that comes to mind is rape. But sexual violence can occur on a much more subtle plane. That's what the organizers of the second annual Sexual Violence Awareness Week want the students at UK to think about.
"The kind of violence we want people to be aware of is the kind that happens due to our culture and dating system," said Robert Ferguson of UK's Counseling and Testing Center.
One of the ways Ferguson hopes to help people to become a little more comfortable with a very uncomfortable topic is through a variety of events planned for this week.
Nationally-known speaker Bob Hall will present "Hands Off! Let's Talk: Just Because We're Datin', Don't Mean We're Matin' " at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow in Worsham Theater.
"Mr. Hall has a great reputation. He's found ways to address the issue with humor and good taste, while bringing the gender nonsense to light," Ferguson said.
Ferguson said Hall will try to get people talking - and bring sexual violence, including sexual coercion and manipulation, out of the closet.
That may not be an easy task.
"Personal communication is challenging enough. It's very difficult to talk openly about sex," said Mary Brinkman of University Health Services. "As a collective society, we don't have the skills to talk about it. And I'm not sure people know what consensual sex is and isn't."
Another problem is that a lot of people think sexual violence is just a women's issue, but it's not, Ferguson said.
"As men, it's their issue, too," he said. "Although men are generally the perpetrator, but not always, it's important to them as well - they have mothers, sisters, girlfriends."
One way awareness can be raised is through a series of discussion groups. A men-only group will discuss what responsibilities men have regarding sexual violence, and an all-women group will discuss the female role in preventing violence against women.
Men and women will have an opportunity to respond to these same questions together later in the week.
For more information, call Brinkman at 323-5823 or Ferguson or Di Sobel or the Counseling and Testing Center at 257-8701.
Noon
Rape Aggression Defense System
South Campus Commons Cafeteria
7 p.m.
Film, "The Accused"
Patterson Hall
7:30 p.m.
"Hands Off! Let's Talk" with Bob Hall
Worsham Theater
Tomorrow
Noon
Discussion Group - Men Only
228 Student Center
Discussion Group - Women Only
205 Student Center
8 p.m.
Film, "The Accused"
Haggin Hall
Play, "The Date"
Patterson Hall Lobby
9 p.m.
Film, "Extremities"
Kirwan Tower
Wednesday
2 p.m.
Rape Aggression Defense System
Lexington Community College Auditorium
9 p.m.
Film, "The Accused"
Kirwan Tower
Thursday
Noon
Dialogue for men and women.
206 Student Center
6 p.m.
Film, "Extremities"
Patterson Hall
UK Lambda's regularly scheduled meeting will address physical and sexual violence in gay lesbian relationships.
Copyright 1995, Kernel Press Inc. All rights reserved.
The internet version of the Kentucky Kernel, the independent daily student newspaper at the University of Kentucky, may be distributed electronically so other people can enjoy it. However, you cannot reprint any of its content with the express written permission of the Kernel Press Inc. Contact the business office of the Kentucky Kernel at 606-257-2871 for more information.
E-mail the Kernel at: kernel@ukcc.uky.edu