ASUI passed a resolution Wednesday recognizing September as Katy Benoit Campus Safety Awareness Month.
The resolution, which comes 10 years after Katy Benoit’s death to interpersonal violence, seeks to educate the University of Idaho campus community regarding the steps that can be taken to ensure the safety of themselves and others throughout the university.
According to the resolution, a variety of events will be hosted throughout the month including the Katy Benoit Safety Forum, the Campus Safety Resource Fair, Suicide Awareness Week and National Hazing Prevention Week which will allow students to learn about the safety resources that are available on the Moscow campus.
“It’s important to show Vandals that the UI is a welcoming, safe and comfortable campus,” Sen. Secillia Lopez said. “(The resolution) is a great way to honor and celebrate the life of Katy Benoit.”
Educational resources will also be available to bring awareness to the issue of interpersonal violence. One such program is the Green Dot safety program, a preventative program that provides students, faculty and staff with the tools necessary to intervene in the event of on-campus violence. According to the program’s website, the emphasis is placed on “community responsibility,” shifting attention “away from victims/perpetrators and onto bystanders.”
The University of Idaho Women’s Center will be hosting a Take Back the Night march to bring awareness to the issue of interpersonal violence and show support for survivors. According to the Women’s Center website, the march has international origins, dating back to March 1976 in Brussels, Belgium. Since that time, the march has spread across borders and will be hosted at the UI once again on Thursday, Sept. 23 at 7 p.m.
“If you don’t know the story of Katy Benoit, it is a tragic story of loss and something that was preventable,” Vice President Hettinga said. “I would strongly urge you to attend all of the events that you are able to, to show support for all of the great work the Dean of Students Office is doing, but also just to learn about the resources and options that are available to you as well.”
Royce McCandless can be reached at [email protected] or Twitter @roycemccandless