04/23/2025
By Joseph Hartman
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and UMass Lowell is proud to take a stand against any unwanted sexual attention and contact. Every 68 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted; and on college campuses nationwide it’s estimated that 13% of all graduate and undergraduate students experience rape or sexual assault through physical force, violence, or incapacitation. The numbers are higher for LGBTQ+ students and some students of color.
At UMass Lowell, we work every day to prevent violence on campus, from educating incoming students about consent, holding events to raise awareness, and offering training opportunities to recognize ways we can all be responsible bystanders.
This month we are hosting several events, and we hope you’ll join us.
- On April 24 we are partnering with the Center for Hope and Healing to Take Back the Night in Lowell. This annual event, celebrating its 20th year, begins at JFK Plaza (50 Arcand Dr, Lowell, MA 01852) at 5:30 p.m. with speakers and a march through the city. It then culminates at Moloney Hall in University Crossing where survivors are offered a space to speak out during an open mic event. Join us in our efforts to support survivors and end sexual violence.
- On April 30 we will observe Denim Day and ask all university faculty, staff and students to wear denim in support of survivors of violence.
- Also be on the lookout for pop-up events where our CAPE peer educators will be sharing information about sexual violence and available resources on campus and in the community.
If you have any questions about our prevention efforts of the events listed above, please contact Melissa Wall at Melissa_Wall@uml.edu. Together, we can do our part to prevent sexual violence at UMass Lowell.