April is sexual assault awareness month which is a time to used to educate, support survivors, and promote prevention.

At least twenty percent of females and six percent of males have gone through sexual violence on college campuses but that’s only those who have spoken out.

Around eighty percent of victims never report the abuse, some survivors never speak out due to the fear of being ashamed or embarrassed.

A lot of victims face severe mental health issues like depression, PTSD, dissociation and much more. Some signs to look out for are bruises, change in attitude, and lack of energy.

If you are the friend of a victim or suspect your friend is a victim, be compassionate and patient with them. If you suspect someone you know is a victim and they aren’t over the age of 18, report it. It’s better to say something then to not say anything at all. Most importantly, be supportive.

LSU offers many programs and organizations for sexual assault victims like the lighthouse program and Tigers Against Sexual Assault. The LSU Student Health Center also offers one on one mental health sessions along with wellness sessions.

To find more resources and to seek help, you can visit lsu.edu/shc.