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Upcoming Events

Upcoming V.A.S. Events

Did you attend Rock Against Rape 2013 on April 4, 2013? If so, please consider completing a short 4-question survey regarding your experience through SurveyMonkey!
Click here NIU Rock Against Rape 2013 Survey

Upcoming Events

  • V.A.S. On the Move "Summer Initiative!"
    • Every Wednesday beginning June 12 and running through August 14, 2013
    • MLK Commons, outside the HSC
    • 11:00–2:00 p.m.
    • Victim Advocacy Services is on the move this summer!  Enjoy the summer weather and join V.A.S. advocates “on the move” outdoors as they educate the campus community and enhance awareness of sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. Meet your peer advocate and help demystify stereotypical myths, participate in advocacy projects, and join the campus community in taking a stand against the four crimes! A V.A.S. advocate will be present outside in the MLK Commons every Wednesday from 11-2pm beginning June 12 and running through August 14, 2013. Look for the balloons! If you have any questions about how to volunteer to support V.A.S. On the Move or would like become a V.A.S. volunteer, please contact Kelly Phelan, VAS Graduate Assistant, at 815-753-0320.

V.A.S. Spotlight Events

  • HopeLine Project 
    • The Women’s Resource Center Victim Advocacy Services is supporting Verizon Wireless in its efforts to empower survivors of domestic violence. HopeLine® by Verizon puts the nation’s most reliable network to work in our community by turning no-longer-used cell phones into support for domestic violence victims/survivors. A cell phone can serve as a vital link to emergency or support services in a time of crisis or as a reliable, safe connection to employers, family, and friends as survivors rebuild their lives.  Please drop your old cell phones, batteries, and chargers in the Women’s Resource Center’s donation box located at the WRC. Similarly, the staff of Victim Advocacy Services will be present around campus throughout the year collecting your donations. If you would like for a staff member to stop by your location, please call Victim Advocacy Services at 753-0320.
    • Donation drop box will be located in the Women’s Resource Center August 2012-May 2013.
  • One Voice: A Program of Expression
    • January 31
    • Holmes Student Center, Diversions Lounge
    • 7:00–9:00 p.m.
    • Thank you to everyone who attended and participated in One Voice! One Voice is a program of expression that allows students to come together and demonstrate how their organization says in "One Voice," that they are against domestic/dating violence, sexual assault and stalking on NIU's campus and in the community.  Organizations who performed in One Voice included, PRISM, Alpha Phi Gamma, Present Perfect Modeling Organization, Women's Rights Alliance, and Women's Studies.  There were also several campus departments and community partners who supported the event and were featured speakers such as Health Enhancement, (Pause Off Peer Theater Troupe), Bystander Education, Safe Passage, and Victim Advocacy Services, whom hosted the event.  The evening was full of entertainment and opportunities for learning and engaging with peers about initiatives and groups on campus who support the cause to end violence.  VAS is looking forward to doing this program on even a larger scale next year! 
  • Operation Jungle Red 
    • When: Monday, April 1, 2013 - Thursday, April 4, 2013
    • Time: 11am – 1pm (M-Th) and at the Rock Against Rape Event on 4/4/13
    • Locations: Various stations across NIU’s campus
    • During Operation Jungle Red, the campus community, particularly men, will be challenged to step outside of   their comfort zone and paint their pinky fingernail red to bring attention to the prevalence of violent acts in today's society. By painting a fingernail red, individuals are pledging to take a stand against violence, and agree that they believe everyone should discuss ways to reduce violence in our schools and communities. One red fingernail is meant to serve as an outward sign of one's willingness to stand up and speak out against violence.   For more information, contact Victim Advocacy Services at (815) 753-0320.
  • Rock Against Rape
    • When: April 4, 2013
    • Time: 8-11pm
    • Location: Diversions Lounge, Holmes Student Center
    • Host: Victim Advocacy Services
    • Thank you to everyone who attended and participated in the fourth annual Rock Against Rape! Rock Against Rape is a nationwide event held annually in communities and on college campuses to instill awareness and to support victim/survivors of sexual assault. This awareness initiative is held annually at Northern Illinois University by Victim Advocacy Services at the beginning of April as a kick-off for Sexual Assault Awareness Month. This year Rock Against Rape featured three socially conscious student bands including The Wandering Lights, The Ellevens, and Matt Muse & the Band. All three bands did an amazing job performing covers and original music to instill awareness of sexual assault. Also, both Victim Advocacy Services and Safe Passage had representatives present to share their commitment to advocacy for victim/survivors of sexual assault on campus and in the community. Cell phones were donated in support of the HopeLine project, and attendees were encouraged to paint their pinky nails red in support of Operation Jungle Red. Thank you again to everyone who attended and helped us rock out against rape! 
    • Check out the Rock Against Rape 2013 pictures here! 
  • The Advocacy Project… 
    • When: April 11, 2013
    • Time: 10:00am-4:00pm
    • Location: Women’s Resource Center Conference Room
    • Host: Victim Advocacy Services and NIU Police and Public Safety
    • What does an advocate look like to you? In recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, come out and take a creative stand during Sexual Assault Awareness Month by designing an advocacy T-shirt, writing letters of support, and creating teal ribbons to showcase throughout the campus. *T-shirts and supplies will be provided.
  • White Ribbon Campaign Video Collection 
    • When: Friday, April 12, 2013
    • Host: Victim Advocacy Services
    • Are you a male or part of a male organization? Do you like to inspire others to take  action? Are you passionate about working to  end violence against women? We are looking for you to take a stand by submitting a video of yourself or your organization demonstrating, speaking out, or advocating to end violence against women. Video entries will be displayed on the Women’s Resource Center web page, VAS section! Please submit all videos to Kelly Phelan, VAS Graduate Assistant, by Friday, April 12, 2013. Please contact Kelly by email at  kphelan1@niu.edu, or by phone at the Women’s Resource Center 815-753-0320.
  • Denim Day 
    • When: April 24, 2013
    • Time: All day
    • Location: Northern Illinois University & surrounding communities
    • Host: Victim Advocacy Services
    • Denim jeans have special meaning for Sexual Assault Awareness Month. In 1992, an 18-year-old girl was raped in Italy by her driving instructor. She initially won her legal case, but then it was overturned by the High Court, which stated that, since she was wearing tight jeans, the rapist could not possibly have done it by himself. The women of the Italian legislature protested by wearing jeans. Join the NIU campus and community in participating in Denim Day to honor victims/survivors of sexual assault by wearing denim for the day.  Let’s rally together and collectively stand against sexual assault.
  • Sexual Assault Awareness Month Inititiatives

V.A.S. Collaborations

  • Coming soon!