April is Sexual Violence Awareness Month, and our annual Sexual Assault and Violence Education or SAVE Month in which we raise awareness for sexual violence prevention through active programming and education efforts, such as Take Back the Night, Yards for Yeardley, and so much more. This year will look a little different from past years, but there will be plenty of opportunities to join events either virtually or in-person.

This year Regis will acknowledge SAVE month from March 22 through April 22.

Below you will find more information on the legacy of Yeardley Love and the One Love Foundation's mission to promote healthy relationships and prevent domestic violence, the significance and history of Take Back the Night, as well as additional statistics and information.

SAVE Month Virtual Stories and Resources

  • Take Back the Night

    Take Back the Night at Regis has been a signature component of SAVE Month. It is a time when our community comes together in solidarity for those that have been impacted by sexual violence. The Regis event is part of a greater global Take Back the Night movement. Born from the earlier marches of the 1970s by the same name, Take Back the Night became a formal organization in 2001, with over 300 events taking place in the last decade—many at college campuses.

    Traditionally, Take Back the Night at Regis begins with a keynote speaker, often a survivor who shares their story. The group then begins a march around campus, stopping at various landmarks to hear additional testimonials or stories of survivors and victims. It's a time of listening and solidarity and for the Regis community to let survivors know—we see you and you matter.

  • Yeardley Love's Story

    Yeardley Love was a beloved sister, daughter, student, teammate, and friend by many. She played lacrosse for the University of Virginia and three weeks before graduation she was beaten to death by her ex-boyfriend who also played lacrosse at the school.

    Yeardley met her ex-boyfriend when they were both freshman and in the beginning stages, the two appeared to have what could be considered an “average” relationship. After breaking up two years later and an on-again-off-again pattern, many dangerous behaviors and warning signs of an unhealthy relationship appeared. These included reported assaults and threatening messages out of frustration, anger, and jealousy.

    Yeardley’s story is a powerful one. It shows us that tragedies like this could be prevented if we are able to identify warning signs and behaviors of an unhealthy and violent nature.

    The One Love Foundation was founded to honor Yeardley's legacy and educate young people about healthy and unhealthy relationships. Each year, One Love sponsors Yards for Yeardley, a month-long campaign to rally everyone, especially the collegiate lacrosse community, in order to recruit more people in the movement to change the stats around relationship abuse and create a world where people know how to establish healthy personal relationships.

    The Regis Pride lacrosse programs, led by women's lacrosse head coach Courtney Duggan and men's lacrosse head coach Matthew Sweeney, are once again leading the movement at Regis College. For more information on how Regis Lacrosse is getting involved and how you can pledge yards to the Yards for Yeardley campaign.

    For more information on the One Love Foundation and warning signs of an unhealthy relationship.

  • Statistics from the National Sexual Violence Resource Center

    ​​​​​​The National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) is a nonprofit organization that provides information and tools for the prevention of and response to sexual violence. They are committed to translating research into concrete practices that prevent sexual assault and support survivors. The following statistics regarding sexual violence, and more specifically the sexual violence on college campuses, have been collected from the NSVRC.

    • One in every five women and every one in 71 men will be raped at some point in their lives.
    • One in every three women and one in six men have experienced some kind of sexual violence within their lifetime
    • In eight out of 10 cases of rape the victim knew their perpetrator.
    • Approximately 20-25% of college women and 15% of college men are victims of forced or unwanted sex during their time in college.
    • Over 90% of survivors of sexual violence do not report their assault.
    • About two thirds of college students experience sexual harassment within college.

Events throughout the month

  • S.A.V.E Month Kickoff

    Two students handing out information from SAVE month at the upper student center

  • Trivia Night

    Trivia night is a new event added to S.A.V.E. Month this year!

    Questions

    Q: Name of the artist who wrote the song “till it happens to you”
    A: Lady Gaga
    Q: NFL player and Brooklyn Nine-Nine actor spoke out in 2017 about his own sexual assault that involved a Hollywood executive.
    A: Terry Crews
    Q: What is the name of the actress who portrays Olivia Benson on Law and Order SVU? Benson is a fearless advocate for sexual assault victims/survivors. Like Olivia Benson this woman does advocating off screen as well.
    A: Mariska Hargitay
    Q: Name of the 2020 Oscar nominated film that addresses how society addresses sexual assault today.
    A: Promising Young Woman
    Q: Who are the two of the five on-campus Regis resources that can be reached out to for support if you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence?
    A: Anabella Morabito, Bridget Buoniconti, Adam Thrasher, Walt Horner and Kelly Brochu
    Q: If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence what is one of two confidential resources you can got to for support?
    A: Center for Health and Wellness and Center for Ministry and Service
    Q: What law must Regis abide by that states that “Regis does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational programs or activities”?
    A: Title IX
    Q: What is the name of the intervention program where members of the Regis community will have the opportunity to participate in bystander intervention training and other programming initiatives and media campaigns that will enhance the bystander movement on campus?
    A: We See You and You Matter bystander intervention program
    Q: Name two events that are a part of SAVE Month
    A: Yards for Yeardley and Take Back the Night
    Q: What percentage of college students experience sexual harassment within college?
    A: 66% (2/3)
    Q: Approximately what percent of college women and what percent of college men are victims of forced or unwanted sex during their time in college?
    A: 20 to 25% of women and 15% of men
    Q: One in ____ women and one in ____ men have experienced some kind of sexual violence within their lifetime.
    A: Three and six
    Q: Over ___ of survivors of sexual violence do not report their assault.
    A: 90%

  • Dating App Safety Session

    Join us in another new event apart of S.A.V.E. Month this year. This event will help students to see the world of online dating and how there are dangers to be aware of. Being safe should be the most important part when using these apps. This session will help students to be as safe as possible.

  • Teal Day

    Teal has become the signature color for sexual assault awareness and wearing a teal ribbon or another teal item symbolizes support for victims/survivors.

    Teal Day

  • Yards for Yeardley 2021

    This is a staple event here at Regis College. This year we had to do this event virtually due to COVID-19, but it was still a success! You can still submit yards till May 3 to the Strava App by joining the Regis Pride Yards for Yeardley 2021 club.