This story contains mentions of sexual assault. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault or abuse, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at +1(800) 656-4673, La Piñon’s 24-Hour Crisis Hotline at 575-526-3437, or any of the organizations listed within this article.
On Tuesday, April 23, the signature black and white of police cars was replaced with neon sticky notes in support of Sexual Assault Awareness month.
“Cover the Cruiser” is a national initiative designed to bring awareness to certain issues and fundraisers, including sexual assault and funding local Special Olympics. The event at New Mexico State University was centered around a parked police cruiser on International Mall walkway to encourage students to take a stand against sexual assault. Participants wrote their pledges, commitments and stories on sticky notes, which they then decorated the vehicle with.
“It’s a very big way to bring awareness and it’s also creative, which now you need,” said Gloria Carreras, a La Casa, Inc. representative. “You need to have those extra events like this so that way people see it visually rather than just reading about it. It’s so much more in touch.”
The event was hosted by NMSU’s Office of Health Promotion, who also organized “Consent is F.R.I.E.S.” a few weeks prior. Spearheaded by Health Education Specialist Cecy Corona-Madrid, both events were arranged specifically to remind students throughout Sexual Assault Awareness month that they are supported.
“I am a sexual assault survivor,” Corona-Madrid said. “So, I feel like it’s important because I never reported it. I know the importance now. And unfortunately, I never did anything back then. So, if somebody’s going through something difficult, like sexual assault, I’d want them to seek out the support that they need.”
While April raises awareness for sexual assault and violence internationally, it’s vital that college students in particular understand the topic, since campuses can “harvest a lot of negative interactions,” says NMSU graduate student Lauren Bailey.
“It’s really important that we kind of look out for each other and create a better environment and also less stigma with the police,” Bailey said. “They are really a quick and easy resource to contact and just have at their side in times of pain or distress.”
To show their support, NMSU Police Lieutenant Nelson McGuire said that campus and local police try to do as many community-centered events as possible, in addition to several free self-defense classes and seminars they host. “Cover the Cruiser” was a way for them to lend support to local college students who may not know they are a viable resource.
“It brings awareness to the constant issue that we have of sexual violence and sexual assault on all college campuses and the universities,” McGuire said. “So, we’re just trying to bring light to it and make sure people know that consent is required, what resources are available. So that’s what a lot of these other booths are out here for, to just let students know if they ever find themselves as a victim of sexual violence, there’s a lot of resources here on campus for them.”
The police also work closely with community resources, several of which also had tables at the event. La Piñon and La Casa, Inc. are both local programs dedicated to fighting sexual assault, domestic abuse, and more. Their presence on International Mall served to remind students that not only do they have access to on-campus resources like the NMSU police, the Office of Health Promotion and more, but that they have supporters in the community, as well.
“You guys are our future,” Carreras said. “You guys are involved in everything out in the community. It’s important that you guys are aware of what we’re doing, of what other organizations within this fair are doing. So that way you’re able to help others, help yourselves, and we’re able to create a healthier future and a safe environment for people to grow up in.”
If you or anyone you know has experienced sexual assault or abuse, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at +1(800) 656-4673. For local help, you can find support at any of the above campus services or via La Piñon’s 24-Hour Crisis Hotline at 575-526-3437 and their website, www.lapinon.org.
