Above: April 23, 2025, National Denim Day. Christopher Newport students, faculty, and staff wore denim to demonstrate solidarity with assault victims.
Captains are leading a campuswide effort to prevent sexual assault and support victims. Throughout the month of April, a series of events will be held to educate and empower students and the entire campus community to take an active role in prevention.
Take Back the Night will be the first campuswide event. The vigil brings students together to stand in solidarity against sexual violence.
Later in the month, the University will unite on the steps of Christopher Newport Hall for the third annual observance of Denim Day. Denim Day is a global event held during Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), during which people wear denim to challenge victim-blaming around sexual violence. The national theme for SAAM this year is “25 Years Stronger: Looking Back, Moving Forward,” which celebrates the resilience of survivors and the communities that have worked for change.
Throughout the month and at other times during the year, the Wellness Action Team for Captains’ Health (WATCH) sponsors and hosts programs to educate the CNU community and raise awareness of health and wellness prevention topics. WATCH is composed of campus partners, including Accessibility and Care Team Support, the Office of Institutional Compliance/Title IX, faculty in a variety of disciplines, as well as student organizations, such as Where is the Line.
Events:
- Hour 2 Empower: 7 p.m., Wednesday, April 22, DSU Ballroom. This event is coordinated by Where is the Line in partnership with Fear 2 Freedom and Riverside Regional Medical Center and is open to all.
- Take Back the Night: 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 15, McMurran 101. Coordinated by the WATCH committee (cross-campus partnership focused on health and wellness efforts), Office of Institutional Compliance/Title IX, and the Panhellenic Council, and open to all.
- Denim Day: April 29. Employees and students are encouraged to wear denim in support of survivors.
Throughout the month:
- Students are invited to hang a teal ribbon on one of the Hope Trees in David Student Union (DSU)in honor of a survivor.
- The Where is the Line organization will be tabling atDSUthroughout April.
- The Office of Institutional Compliance/Title IX will host a weekly Resource Spotlight to raise awareness of on-and off-campus resources for survivors.