UAlbany Hosts Series of Events for Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April

By Amy Geduldig   

ALBANY, N.Y. (March 25, 2025) — Building on the University at Albany’s commitment for a safe and welcoming campus, the Office of Health Promotion (OHP) will host a variety of programs in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) in April.  

The month-long series of programs, events and tabling opportunities will launch with “Take Back the Night,” held on UAlbany’s Uptown campus at Entry Plaza on April 1 at 6 p.m. The annual event is part of a global movement that shines a light on all forms of sexual violence, including assault, abuse, trafficking, stalking, harassment and relationship violence. The candlelight vigil includes a rally in support of community members that may have experienced harm and violence. Last year more than 100 members of the campus community came together in support of survivors, advocating for an end to personal violence.    

“With survivor support at the core, we look forward to seeing members of UAlbany community engage with events during Sexual Assault Awareness Month," said Naishaly Vélez Galán, survivor advocate at UAlbany’s office of health promotion. "While at events throughout the month, we call on you to consider how you can take meaningful action as we work towards fostering a community of care that is liberated from power-based personal violence. To all the survivors in our community — we believe you, we support you and you are not alone.”

During SAAM, as well as throughout the year, OHP provides direct services and advocacy to survivors, in addition to hosting the “Survivor Support Series” on campus. Survivors who are seeking to get connected to Survivor Advocacy or access supportive spaces with fellow survivors can email healthpromotion@albany.edu to learn more.  

In keeping with the spirit of support and healing, UAlbany and Albany Medical Center are also collaborating with community partners for the 9th annual “We Care” event held at Broadview Center on April 23 at 6 p.m.  UAlbany students, faculty and staff are invited to help assemble “comfort bags” for those affected by sexual violence, which will be distributed by the Division of Forensic Medicine at Albany Medical Center, ensuring that all sexual assault survivors treated at Albany Med leave with dignity and the knowledge that they are supported by a community that cares. Volunteers can register for the main event and are encouraged to sign up for a shift earlier in the day to support set up. Shifts can be found on EngageUAlbany.

SAAM events are open to UAlbany students, faculty, and staff and there are many ways for the campus community to become involved. The Office of Health Promotion along with Albany County Crime Victim & Sexual Violence Center (CVSVC) will be at the Go Desk from 12 – 2 p.m. on Thursday, April 10 and April 24, with informational activities and  UAlbany’s Health Navigation Team and CVSVC partners will be available with resources as well as give aways and prizes for those who take the time to engage and start a conversation.

Additionally, the Office of Health Promotion invites faculty and staff to nominate campus groups for “Promoting Empowerment” training, an interactive leadership development opportunity which explores the dynamics of bystander empowerment, as well as ways in which individuals and groups can influence their campus community more broadly toward violence prevention. Students, faculty and staff can submit a nomination or to learn more about the training reach out to MacKenzie Bachar, the assistant director, Healthy Systems at mbachar@albany.edu.

Programming is made possible thanks to collaboration with partners on and off campus, including Student Activities and Orientation, Albany County Crime Victims and Sexual Violence Center, Albany Med, University Auxiliary Services, Student Association, St. Peter's Crime Victims Services and In Our Own Voices, Inc.

The Office of Health Promotion provides direct services to students who are survivors of sexual and intimate partner violence and students who have experienced harm through violence and exploitation. Students in need of support can email healthpromotion@albany.edu or call (518) 956-8477 to schedule an appointment, or they can stop by the OHP office or drop in at the Campus Center Bean on Wednesdays between 5 and 7 p.m. Visit the Sexual Violence Support & Advocacy webpage for a full listing of support services and reporting options.