ORONO – The University of Maine’s Sexual Assault Awareness Committee has scheduled a number of events for its annual commemoration of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, April 15-18.

Highlights include a Take Back the Night rally and bonfire, lectures, discussions and a display of T-shirts designed by those affected by sexual assault. Events are free and open to the public.

“These events will promote awareness, education and prevention of sexual assault,” said Summer Sunderland, co-chairwoman of the Sexual Assault Awareness Committee’s April planning committee and a UMaine graduate assistant. “It is essential for everyone in our community to be part of the solution to eliminating sexual assault.”

An events kickoff will be held at noon Monday, April 15, on the mall and will feature remarks by UM President Peter Hoff, U.S. Rep. John Baldacci and Carey Nason, the Safe Campus Project coordinator. Participants will be able to tie a ribbon on the mall to honor a survivor or show support for the victims of sexual assault.

The Take Back the Night rally is set for 7 p.m. Thursday, April 18, in front of Fogler Library. Activities will get under way at 6 p.m. with music by Kim Miller. At 7 p.m., the rally will begin with speakers and an opportunity for women to speak out about sexual assault.

Men are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Participants will march down College Avenue to the Bumstock field for a bonfire with food and music provided by the percussion and vocal ensemble Inanna – Sisters in Rhythm. There will be another opportunity for participants to speak out about sexual assault, and people are encouraged to bring their own drums to play when Inanna’s performance has concluded.

David Ryder of Men Can Stop Rape, a national sexual assault prevention organization based in Washington, D.C., will deliver the keynote address, “Jalapenos, Chest Hair and the Power of Grayskull: How Men Can Speak Out Against Men’s Violence and Hold On to Their Manhood,” at 7 p.m. Monday, April 15, in Room 100 of the Donald P. Corbett Business Building. The keynote address is sponsored by the Safe Campus Project.

For more information, contact Sunderland at 581-3127.