YWCA McLean County's Stepping Stones program — which provides help for sexual assault and abuse survivors and their families — will sponsor several programs during April, which is Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
A Teal Ribbon Ceremony will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Heartland Community College, 1500 W. Raab Road, Normal. Community members are invited to tie ribbons around campus to symbolize support for sexual assault survivors and to bring awareness.
The Clothesline Project will be 5 to 7 p.m. April 8 at YWCA, 1201 N. Hershey Road. Assault survivors are invited to create shirts to be displayed on a clothesline; supplies will be provided. Shirts will be on display throughout April at Behind The Glass Fine Art Gallery and Studio, 315 N. Main St., Bloomington; Wednesday through April 9 at Heartland Community College; and April 10 at YWCA.
Walk a Mile in Her Shoes will be 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 18 at McLean County Museum of History, 200 N. Main St. Goal of the event — featuring keynote speaker Steve Thompson, an expert on sexual assault and stalking — is to raise awareness about sexual violence and improve gender relationships and appreciation for women's experiences. Registration is $25 — $10 for students and seniors — and may be completed at www.ywcamclean.org.
Brave Miss World, a movie about rape and followed by a panel discussion, will be 6 to 8:30 p.m. April 21 at Illinois State University's Center for Visual Arts, Normal. The event is hosted by ISU's Graduate Organization of the School Psychology program.
Take Back the Night will be 6 to 8:30 p.m. April 28 at McLean County Museum of History. The event will include speakers, a rally, a 1½-mile walk through downtown Bloomington and a candlelight vigil.
Listen below for an in-depth discussion of Stepping Stones' objectives and efforts to empower victims of assault: