Marywood University’s Holds 16th Annual “Release the Light” Sexual Assault Awareness Program

SCRANTON, PA (April 18, 2017)—Marywood University will hold its 16th annual “Release the Light” Sexual Assault Awareness program, in conjunction with National Sexual Assault Awareness Month, on Thursday, April 27, 2017. The event will take place on the campus green, in front of the Insalaco Center for Studio Arts, from 2-5 p.m. The rain location is the Fireplace Lounge in the Nazareth Student Center. The event is free and open to the public.

This year’s program will be an outdoor fair, with “EJ the DJ” bringing fun and interactive music. There will be a bounce house, lively games, speakers, and tables with information on the topics of healthy relationships and sexual assault prevention, safeguards against acquaintance rape, bystander intervention, the importance of consent and mutual respect in relationships, and statistics about sexual violence. There will be a “Let Your Feet Speak” march through campus at 4:30 p.m.

Community and student organizations, as well as academic departments will be represented, including Lackawanna County’s Women’s Resource Center, Marywood University’s Counseling/Student Development Center, RAE (Relationship Awareness & Empowerment Task Force), Peers on Wellness, Title IX deputy coordinator, Psychological Services Center, School Psychology Department, Music Therapy Association, Caritas Social Work Club, Alpha Sigma Psi Sorority, Men’s Lacrosse Team, Women’s Field Hockey Team, Chi Sigma Iota, Office of Military and Veterans Services, Purple Pinkies, Human Trafficking Prevention and Awareness Committee, Campus Safety, and many more. One of the scheduled speakers is Ed McNichols, MSW, LSW, clinical assistant in the Counseling/Student Development Center at Marywood University.

April is designated as National Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and communities and colleges across the nation will join together against crimes of sexual abuse. For additional information on the “Release the Light” program to raise awareness of sexual assault, please contact Marywood University’s Counseling/Student Development Center, at (570) 348-6245.