Every two minutes, someone in the United States is sexually assaulted, according to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network.

To increase awareness about the problem, West Virginia Universitys Sexual Assault Prevention Education Program and Health Promotion and Outreach Services have several events planned for AprilSexual Assault Awareness Month.

This month is about increasing awareness and knowledge related to sexual assault among college students,said Colleen Harshbarger, interim director of Health Promotion and Outreach Services.It is important for women to know how to identify vulnerable situations and to protect themselves, for men to identify abnormal behaviors in peers and to help promote the message that this behavior is not OK, and in both to recognize healthy and unhealthy behaviors in relationships.

Events kicked off Wednesday (April 1) with a teal ribbon campaign. Ribbons were hung in front of the Mountainlair to draw attention to the issue of sexual violence. Research shows that 5 percent of women on college campuses will be sexually assaulted in a calendar year, said Deb Beazley, sexual assault prevention educator at WVU .

On April 6-7, the Clothesline Project will be displayed from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on the grand staircase in the Mountainlair. The exhibit, featuring T-shirts with powerful messages from sexual assault victims, is an art project designed to be an in-your-face educational tool. The project was created in 1990 by a coalition of womens groups in Massachusetts.

The Clothesline Project honors survivors as well as victims of intimate violence,Beazley said.Participating in this project provides a powerful step toward helping a survivor break through the shroud of silence that has surrounded his/her experience.

On April 8, national Day of Action, WVU will host a Take Back the Night march and rally at 7 p.m. on the Mountainlair plaza. Speakers will include Daleen Berry, an award-winning author, editor and investigative journalist, and other advocates and victims who would like to share their stories. Following their talks, participants will hold candles and march in honor of sexual assault victims.

Meanwhile, a three-hour self-defense class designed to teach women of all ages toFight Like a Girlwill be held from 1-4 p.m. April 18 at the Student Recreation Center. The cost is $20 for students and $40 for community members. Participants will receive free pepper spray. For more information and to register, visit http://instinctivedefense.com .

A movie series in the Mountainlair Gluck Theatre will conclude the month with showings ofNorth CountryApril 13 at 6 p.m.,The AccusedApril 21 at 6 p.m. andWhats Love Got to Do With ItApril 23 at 3 p.m.

Those who would like to participate in awareness activities or get more information on sexual assault prevention and education should contact Beazley, 304-293-1377, or visit http://www.hsc.wvu.edu/shs/sexualAssault/index.asp .