University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg hosts events for Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Sexual assault survivor and inspirational speaker Brian Cardoza will speak at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg as part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

The university will host several events designed to educate people about the issue, show a pathway to recovery for victims and offer information on how to get help for one’s self or for others, according to a news release from the school.

The theme of this year’s program is “I Ask,” focusing on consent.

Cardoza will speak at 7 p.m. April 10 in Room 118 of the Academic Village.

A student-organized performance of “The Monologues” will follow at 9 p.m.

Cardoza, an author and artist, shares his journey of sexual and physical abuse, from age 6 until he left home at 15.

It’s a journey that took him through jail to the present day, where he delivers messages of responsibility and hope as he works to raise awareness and money to fight against childhood sexual assault and physical abuse.

His motto: “Don’t let this moment dictate the next moment.”

Cardoza’s story and creative works are featured in a number of national and international projects.

He is founder of The Broken Knee Club, a non-profit organization created to provide a safe haven for all sexes to comfortably speak out about their experience of childhood and adult sexual assault. In collaboration with others, he is building Survivor Knights, a community working to heal the wounds and trauma of abuse, addiction and other life-threatening health conditions through creative expression, according to his website.

The Monologues

For more than a decade, Pitt-Greensburg performed “The Vagina Monologues,” now called “The Monologues” to be more inclusive of all genders and sexualities.

The student-organized event is expected to include 15 monologues, all written by present and past students, and performed by students.

The event is free, with chocolate sold to raise money for the Blackburn Center.

Today's #SAAM events include #walkblackburn sign ups over lunch in Chambers and the CJ Club sponsored film "Boy Next Door" at 7pm in VH 118. pic.twitter.com/IWloXY1WXS

— Pitt-Greensburg Academic Village (@UPGVillage) April 4, 2019

“‘The Monologues’ are honest [portrayals] regarding gender and sexuality on our campus,” says Chelle Jackson, a senior creative and professional writing major who is directing the event. “They matter because they allow students to be heard. Sometimes all people need is to know they aren’t the only ones going through what they’re going through.”

Sexual Assault Awareness Month activities will culminate with the Pitt-Greensburg campus team participating in the Blackburn Center’s Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event on April 13.

“In recent years, our partnership with Blackburn has expanded to include a research partnership and a commitment to primary prevention,” says Sheila Confer, director of the Academic Village at Pitt-Greensburg and a Blackburn Center board member. “We continue to develop and evaluate what we can do to recognize and address the root causes of gender-based violence. We believe that the culture that accepts and supports this kind of violence can change through education, and we do this social transformation work both inside and outside of the classroom.”

Details: greensburg.pitt.edu