HOULTON, Maine — The Maliseet Domestic and Sexual Violence Advocacy Center sponsored several events throughout the month of April to raise awareness in ending sexual assault.
Susie Fink, director, along with shelter coordinator Cathy St. John and transitional housing coordinator Tanya Raymond helped organize a number of events during the month to raise awareness. On April 9, the group held a “Women’s night of relaxation” at the Maliseet Fitness Center. Alissa Black led the women in stretching and relaxation moves, followed by hearing from Jane Root, executive director of the Wabanaki Women’s Coalition, on sexual assault and myths about rape.
“It was a great night of coming together as women,” Fink said.
On April 16, a “Community Cookout” was held at the Maliseet Gym to talk about sexual assault and what it is.
And on April 29, the 6th annual Denim Day for the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians Staff was held. Fink spoke briefly on the history of denim day and why we wear denim on this day to raise awareness.
“In 1999, the Italian Supreme Court overturned a rape conviction because the victim was wearing ‘very, very tight jeans’ at the time of the assault,” Fink said. “The justices stated that the victim must have helped the attacker remove her jeans, from which they inferred consent. People all around the world were outraged. Wearing jeans on the anniversary became an international symbol of protest against destructive attitudes about sexual violence.”
April was Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Sexual assault is defined as an unwanted sexual act, or a sexual act that occurs in situations when one person forces, pressures, or intimidates another into engaging in a sexual act, Fink said.
“It can also happen when one person is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or has passed out from consuming drugs and alcohol and is unable to give consent,” she added.
According to Fink, one in three Native women and one in eight men will be sexually assaulted in his or her lifetime. As parents, sisters, brothers, aunties, uncles, cousins, and friends we have the power to change these statistics.
These events were made possible through the assistance of The Family Violence Prevention & Services Tribal Shelter and Supportive Services Formula Grant.
