April is Sexual Violence Awareness Month. Survivors of sexual violence include people of any age, race, gender, religion, and ability. Not only is sexual violence universally common, for college and college-age students, the statistics grow even more alarming—one in four will experience some type of sexual violence in their college years.
Saint Mary's is the only women’s college in the state of Indiana, and one of 31 in the United States. As an institution whose mission is to empower and educate women, it is our responsibility to talk about sexual violence, to raise awareness of its impact, and support women who speak up. That conversation continues on Saint Mary's College campus on April 14, 2025 for the next Raise Your Voice Symposium.
Schedule of Events
Wednesday, April 9
4:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Take Back the Night
Begins at Saint Mary’s Lake Marian. A prayer service at the Grotto concludes the evening.
Monday, April 14
On Monday, April 14, we welcome experts in the field of sexual violence to lead workshops and speak on panels. Participants can come and go as they please during this day of education. Learning topics include accompanying survivors during sexual assault exams, considerations for supporting the LGBTQIA+ community, the #MeToo movement, and balancing rest and action in activism.
10:30 – 11 a.m. Prayer Service
Lizzy Seeberg Memorial Garden
Led by the Center for Faith, Action, & Ministry
This prayer service will provide a moment of reflection, solidarity, and hope as we kick off Raise Your Voice 2025. Join us at the Lizzy Seeberg Memorial Garden, outside of Riedinger House, as we come together in support and empowerment, honoring those affected by sexual violence and grounding ourselves in preparation to deepen our understanding of this pervasive issue.
Workshops and Panels - Rice Commons, Student Center
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Screening of the documentary, The Hunting Ground
The Hunting Ground is a powerful documentary that exposes the pervasive issue of sexual assault on college campuses in the United States, highlighting the failures of institutions to adequately address and support survivors. The film features the personal stories of several students, including those from Saint Mary's College, as well as our keynote speaker, Andrea Pino-Silva, who bravely share their experiences of sexual violence and the lack of justice that followed. Through these stories, the documentary sheds light on the systemic problems of victim-blaming and institutional cover-ups, advocating for greater accountability and change.
Among others, the story of Saint Mary’s College student, Lizzy Seeberg, is featured in The Hunting Ground documentary. If you would like to visit Lizzy’s memorial garden on-campus, check your campus map or ask for a volunteer to assist you.
1 – 1:50 p.m.
WORKSHOP: Supporting Survivors in the ER: Best Practices for Hospital-Based Advocacy
Presented by Payton Moore ’15, Women Helping Women
Hospitals are often the first point of contact for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence, making the hospital advocate role and trauma-informed care essential to their care and recovery. This session provides a deep dive into hospital accompaniment, offering best practices for supporting survivors in emergency and medical settings. Led by a trained long-term hospital advocate; this presentation will cover the core principles of trauma-informed care, advocate roles and responsibilities, and strategies for collaborating with medical professionals to create a survivor--centered response. Through real-world examples and In practical guidance, participants will gain tools to address common challenges, including navigating complex medical systems, responding to law enforcement involvement, and managing secondary trauma. The session will also highlight the importance of cultural humility, confidentiality, and self- care in sustaining effective advocacy. Designed for advocates, healthcare professionals, social workers, and crisis responders, this presentation offers actionable strategies to strengthen hospital-based advocacy programs and improve survivor experiences in medical settings.
2pm -2:50pm
WORKSHOP: Callisto: Technology That Safely Connects Campus Survivors of Serial Perpetrators
Presented by Tracy DeTomasi, Callisto
Sexual assault poses a significant threat to college students yet it often feels like a problem too difficult to tackle. However, over 90% of campus sexual assaults are committed by repeat offenders, who will perpetrate an average of 6 times. By helping survivors of serial offenders on their the journey towards healing and justice, we can break the isolation that many survivors feel even though they are not alone. In this interactive presentation, you’ll learn why survivors often do not report the flaws in our justice system, and the impact of serial perpetrators. As Callisto expands services nationally, you’ll also learn how Callisto Vault can help student survivors navigate these barriers by connecting survivors of repeat offenders to each other to establish the pattern of evidence to hold perpetrators accountable and to legal options and support services to jumpstart their healing and justice journeys.
3 – 3:50 p.m.
WORKSHOP: A Marathon, Not a Sprint: The Power and Balance of Combining Rest and Action
Presented by Connie Adams ’08, CLA Training & Consulting
Sexual assault prevention and response calls for urgency – as is true for any social justice and equity work. However, we stand on the shoulders of generations of advocates, activists, and preventionists who preceded, built, and advanced decades-long social movements. Yet, more work is required, so we are a part of a marathon, not a sprint. Pace and balance are essential for this marathon. Not only that, but a combination of rest and action will be our power. Regardless of your role or involvement in this work, this workshop is for you.
4 – 4:50 p.m.
WORKSHOP: Sexual Violence and the LGBTQIA+ Community
Presented by Genesis Vasquez ’20, Mujeres Latinas en Acción
This workshop explores the unique experiences of sexual violence within the LGBTQIA+ community, highlighting the intersection of identity, discrimination, and trauma.
4:50 – 5:30 p.m.
PANEL: Student Research Panel
Featuring Kaitlyn Magoonaugh ’25, Giselle Martinez ’26, and Phoenix McClellan ’25
During this panel, three current Saint Mary’s students will present their research and answer questions from participants. Research topics include: the #MeToo movement, online portrayals of sex, and digital activism.
Keynote and Resource Fair
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
“WHAT WERE YOU WEARING” EXHIBIT
“What Were You Wearing” is a virtual installation that answers the question frequently asked of survivors. This display features narratives and re-creations of outfits based on survivors' experiences.
RESOURCE TABLING EVENT
A resource fair will be held in conjunction with the event and include representatives from Saint Mary’s College as well as survivor support systems in the community.
KEYNOTE ADDRESS: An Evening With Andrea L.Pino-Silva
6 – 7:30 p.m.
Carroll Auditorium, Madeleva Hall
Beyond Resilience: Building Movements That Work For Survivors
For decades, survivors have led movements to reform institutions and laws that are not written for them. As a campus activist, Andrea was one of many who challenged her university to demand change for survivors, and faced conversations focused on overcoming violence rather than dismantling systems of harm. A decade later, the political landscape is more adversarial than ever, but the lessons learned remain essential: our communities hold the keys to a better path forward. Join Andrea for a reflection on ten years of activism and a conversation on how survivors and their communities can build movements that keep us safe.
Andrea L. Pino-Silva is a public scholar on issues of gender based violence, media framing of violence, portrayals of gender and sexuality and Latinx identity, and narratives of survivorhood. She is a policy and media strategist committed to bringing together grassroots organizing and authentic storytelling to build accessible social movements and has worked for various national non-profits and institutions.
She is co-author of “We Believe You: Survivors of Campus Sexual Assault Speak Out,” and Co-Founder of the national survivor advocacy organization End Rape on Campus, where she worked for over five years to support students in learning their rights under Title IX, and in changing their campus sexual assault and harassment policies.Her work and personal journey is prominently featured in the film The Hunting Ground, which premiered at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival.
The workshops are free to all students as well as tri-campus community members. All other workshop attendees, including social work CEUs, will be charged a fee of $50. The keynote address is free and open to the public.
