CARE Awareness Months

Red Zone Awareness

From the moment college students arrive on campus in the fall until they return home for Thanksgiving break, is considered the "Red Zone". This is when more than 50% of all sexual assaults happen on college campuses nationwide. Outreach events and educational workshops are offered across campus in August-September. These opportunities are designed to address factors that contribute to this alarming statistic and empower Boilermakers to take a stand to prevent and eliminate sexual violence within our community.

Ways to get involved in the RedZone:

  • Schedule a facilitation of “Boiler Up & Intervene” or “Power & Control” workshops for your organization or class. Click here to request a workshop.
  • Schedule a toolkit discussion night for our “Sexual Violence” Action Toolkit to educate your organization on what Boilermakers can do to support survivors and prevent sexual violence on and off campus. Click here to learn more about Action Toolkits.
  • CARE tabled on campus in August and September so students could learn more about the Red Zone and campus services and resources!
  • CARE hosted RedZone tailgating events with campus partners and student organizations at all home football games in September.

Domestic/Intimate Partner Violence Awareness

October is known as Domestic Violence Awareness month. In October, CARE focuses on intimate partner violence (IPV) education to bring awareness to our community that IPV impacts college age students.

Individuals in the 18-24 age range are the most at risk age group to experience IPV.(1)

In a recent study, 62% of female and male undergraduate students reported having been physically, psychologically or sexually abused by a partner.(2)

In another study,

  • 70% of those who experienced abuse did not know at the time that they were in an abusive relationship.
  • 60% of those who experienced abuse said that while they were in the relationship, no one tried to help them.
  • 42% of those who experienced abuse said they didn’t tell anyone about the abuse.
  • 57% percent surveyed reported that it was very difficult or somewhat difficult to identify dating abuse.(3)

Students, faculty and staff are provided opportunities to gain knowledge about this important issue, and participate in discussions about how to break the cycle of abuse, be a good bystander, and supports available to individuals impacted by IPV.

Ways to get involved in the Domestic Violence/Relationship Violence Awareness Month campaign:

  • Schedule a facilitation of “Power & Control” or “CARE-ing Support: Responding to Disclosures of Interpersonal Violence” workshops for your organization or class. Click here to request a workshop.
  • Schedule a toolkit discussion night for our “Relationship Violence” Action Toolkit to educate your organization on what Boilermakers can do to support survivors and prevent relationship violence on and off campus. Click here to learn more about Action Toolkits.
  • In October, CARE held tabling events across campus, handing out purple ribbons and ICARE bracelets to show support for survivors of relationship violence!
  • CARE hosted the inaugural Domestic/Relationship Violence Honor Walk on Purple Thursday, October 19th, 2023. The candlelit walk began at Krach Lawn and ended Memorial Mall. Hundreds of people came together to honor survivors and those who have lost their lives to Domestic Violence. Save the date for October 24, 2024 for the 2nd annual Honor Walk.

January is National Stalking Awareness Month

According to SPARC (Stalking Preventions, Awareness, and Resource Center) 18-24 years olds experience stalking at a higher rate than any other age group and between 6% and 39% of college students report having experienced being stalked since entering college.(4) Stalking behaviors can be experienced physically or through the use of technology. CARE will also provide education in regard to sexual exploitation during January. The awareness campaign will include social media posts and a toolkit that will be available to facilitate discussions around the topics of stalking, sexual exploitation, and available resources.

Ways to get involved in the Stalking Awareness Month campaign:

  • Schedule a facilitation of “Boiler Up & Intervene” or “Power & Control” workshops for your organization or class. Click here to request a workshop.
  • Schedule a toolkit discussion night for our “Stalking & Sexual Exploitation” Action Toolkit to educate your organization on what Boilermakers can do to stay safe, support survivors, and prevent stalking and sexual exploitation on and off campus. Click here to learn more about Action Toolkits.

In February, CARE will focus on healthy relationships

We believe having a firm understanding on the characteristics, or green flags, of a healthy relationship will help students more readily see unhealthy behaviors that can be an indicator a relationship is becoming toxic and/or abusive. Through our Valentine’s Day Healthy Relationships Campaign, students will be given the opportunity to share words of affirmation and gratitude with other students that have had a positive impact on their experience here at Purdue. Throughout the month, check out our social media for the “green flags” of healthy relationships and request our Healthy Relationships workshop for your student organization or classroom.

Ways to get involved in the Healthy Relationships campaign:

  • Schedule a facilitation of our “Healthy Relationships” workshops for your organization or class. Click here to request a workshop.
  • Fill out a card to celebrate someone who gives you “green flags” in your relationship! Details coming January 2024.

April is National Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Sexual Assault Awareness Month is designated to bring awareness to sexual violence, how to prevent it, and create a culture of support for survivors. RAINN reports the following statistics related to college students:

  • 13% of all students experience rape or sexual assault through physical force, violence, or incapacitation (among all graduate and undergraduate students).(5)
  • Among graduate and professional students, 9.7% of females and 2.5% of males experience rape or sexual assault through physical force, violence, or incapacitation.(5)
  • Among undergraduate students, 26.4% of females and 6.8% of males experience rape or sexual assault through physical force, violence, or incapacitation.(5)
  • 23.1% of TGQN (transgender, genderqueer, nonconforming) college students have been sexually assaulted.(5)

Ways to get involved in the Sexual Assault Awareness Month campaign:

  • Schedule a facilitation of “Boiler Up & Intervene” or “Power & Control” workshops for your organization or class. Click here to request a workshop.
  • Schedule a toolkit discussion night for our “Sexual Violence” Action Toolkit to educate your organization on what Boilermakers can do to support survivors and prevent sexual violence on and off campus. Click here to learn more about Action Toolkits.
  • On April 2nd, the National Day of Action, CARE will provide an opportunity for survivors and allies to share their stories through participating in the “Survivors and Allies” Creative Arts show. Individuals will be welcome to submit their creative pieces anonymously if they choose. For more information on how your student org or department can be involved reach out to us at care@purdue.edu, or watch for more details coming in January of 2024.
  • Stop by a CARE table on campus for a teal ribbon to show your support for survivors and learn more about campus resources for sexual violence. Details coming March 2024.
  • Wear denim on the last Wednesday of April to commemorate Denim Day, which is an international day to combat victim blaming and educate others about sexual violence.

Throughout the month, CARE provides learning opportunities for the Boilermaker community through open workshops and outreach events, culminated with a Survivors and Allies Art Show. This event provides a creative outlet for survivors and allies to unify around the themes of support, healing, and hope for change.

  1. https://www.nvrdc.org/blog/2020/10/30/dvam2020-domestic-amp-dating-violence-on-college-and-university-campuses
  2. Intimate Partner Violence Common Among Students (insidehighered.com)
  3. https://www.loveisrespect.org/pdf/College_Dating_And_Abuse_Final_Study.pdf
  4. https://www.stalkingawareness.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Campus-Stalking-Fact-Sheet.pdf
  5. https://www.rainn.org/statistics/campus-sexual-violence.
    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 (January 17, 2020). ("Victim services agency” is defined in this study as a “public or privately funded organization that provides victims with support and services to aid their recovery, offer protection, guide them through the criminal justice process, and assist with obtaining restitution.” RAINN presents this data for educational purposes only, and strongly recommends using the citations to review any and all sources for more information and detail.)