The Center for Sexual and Relationship Violence Support Services (SRVSS) supports all students, faculty and staff who have been impacted by sexual violence, relationship abuse, stalking or sex harassment regardless of where, when or by whom the harm occurred.
SRVSS follows university policy and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, genetic information, age and military or veteran status.
Support Students in Need
The Center for Sexual and Relationship Violence Support Services (SRVSS) has created an emergency fund available for students needing additional funding for books, academic supplies, household items, housing or food as a result of sexual or relationship harm. To contribute, use the following link, select I would like to enter my own designation in the search for a fund section, and enter SRVSS Emergency Fund as the designation name.
Contribute to the Center for SRVSS Emergency Fund
- Nationally, 11.2% of all students experience rape or sexual assault through physical force, violence, or incapacitation (among all graduate and undergraduate students).*
- Among graduate and professional students, 8.8% of females and 2.2% of males experience rape or sexual assault through physical force, violence or incapacitation.*
- Among undergraduate students, 23.1% of females and 5.4% of males experience rape or sexual assault through physical force, violence or incapacitation.*
- More than 1 in 4 lesbian women and almost 2 in 4 bisexual women reported to researchers they experienced rape during their lifetimes.**
- About a quarter of gay men and 3% of heterosexual men reported to researchers they experienced rape during their lifetimes.**
These statistics are unacceptable, and we believe we can do better at Kent State University.
*David Cantor, Bonnie Fisher, Susan Chibnall, Reanna Townsend, et. al. Association of American Universities (AAU), Report on the AAU Campus Climate Survey on Sexual Assault and Sexual Misconduct (September 21, 2015).
** Chen, J., Khatiwada, S., Chen, M. S., Smith, S. G., Leemis, R. W., Friar, N., Basile, K. C., and Kresnow, M. (2023). The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS) 2016/2017: Report on Victimization by Sexual Identity. Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Activism in the anti-gender violence movement goes back to the 1940s and 50s, where black women led the efforts in voicing the intersections of race and gender based violence. More wide activism around sexual violence began in the 1970s. This era founded the first rape crisis center in San Francisco in 1971 and the first Take Back the Night march held in 1978. In 1993, the first authorization of the Violence Against Women Act was passed after over a decade of activism by survivors and advocates. While awareness events such as marches and speak outs were widely held during the month of April, Sexual Assault Awareness Month wasn't officially recognized until 2001.
Kent State has been recognizing Sexual Assault Awareness Month since the early 2000s and has hosted events including Take Back the Night Walks, Men's March Against Violence, Speakers such as Tarana Burke, Katie Koestner and movie screenings such as "The Hunting Ground" and "The Voiceless." Additionally each April, there are opportunities for survivors to speak out and come together in healing and support.
University Events for 2025
Tuesdays throughout the month we will host Teal Tuesdays. Please wear teal and share on social media to show your support for survivors. #SAAMKSU2024