Out of the 207,754 people who are sexually assaulted each year in the United States, 80 percent of those victims are under the age of 30, and 54 percent will not report it to the police.
The Sam Houston State University Counseling Center and several university and community organizations have joined forces with the Huntsville community to promote awareness about sexual assault and domestic violence with their 2nd Annual Ignite the Night event, April 10 at 6 p.m. in the Lonestar Residence Hall.
Maryam Ilahi, counseling psychologist at SHSU, wants this event to “empower women to speak up.” She said it will “provide education that it’s not okay to treat women that way.”
Ignite the Night is not just focused on women; it is for anyone who has been impacted in anyway by sexual assault and domestic violence.
The event will consist of an art and poetry contest, speakers and performances and a rally behind Lonestar Residence Hall. Attendees will also have the opportunity to donate to Sexual Assault and Abuse Free Environment House or buy T-shirts. Student and faculty members at SHSU, and members of the Huntsville community, are eligible to enter the contest. (Anonymity will be respected if requested.)
The deadline for submissions is Thursday, by 5 p.m. Email it to MAI005@shsu.edu or mail it to, Box 2059 Huntsville, Tx 77341 T-shirts will be sold prior to the event April 3 through April 10 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. They will be selling for $5 to all non-students and $3 to all SHSU students with a Sam I.D. The remaining shirts will be sold at the event. All proceeds will be donated to SAAFE House. 12