“It’s on Us” to stop sexual assault; this is a term students may be hearing frequently on campus this week. From, Nov. 8 through Nov. 14, UNI will help campaign an initiative in support of National Week of Action.

“It’s on Us” is a national awareness campaign that was brought to campus in October 2014. By taking the pledge, an individual agrees to focus on four key factors: recognize that non-consensual sex is sexual assault, identifying situations in which sexual assault may occur, when to intervene in situations where consent has not or cannot be give and to create an environment in which sexual assault is unacceptable and survivors are supported.

“You’re making a commitment to try and practice those different objectives and actually being more aware of sexual assault and where it can occur, how it could occur and how are you going to intervene [as a bystander],” said Shawna Haislet, health promotion coordinator, as she explained the pledge further. “So it’s really taking a pledge to be part of the solution, because it is everyone’s problem.”

There were three events that took place earlier this week. On Tuesday, there was an “It’s on Us” pledge signing event in Maucker Union from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. During this event, students shared their input on why this pledge is so important to them.

“I want to do whatever I can to help,” said Anna Rasmussen, freshman mathematics major. “If it means signing a pledge to help spread the word, then that’s what I’ll do.”

“I signed the ‘It’s On Us’ pledge both this year and last year,” said Taylor Weldon, senior elementary education major. “I think that it’s important to raise awareness for sexual assault and to know that by signing this pledge you are not a bystander but an upstander. If you see someone that needs help, you seek help for that person. There are too many men and women that are affected by sexual assault, and it’s on all of us to end it.”

A student, wanting to remain anonymous, also shared why they pledged.

“I know someone who was sexually assaulted, and I want this to be a safe place and for everyone around me to feel safe.”

On Wednesday, there was another pledge signing, along with a Mentors in Violence Prevention Training workshop.

“The Mentors and Violence Prevention work shop goes further with raising awareness, opening dialogue, challenging thinking about this issue and then really having an open discussion about violence and sexual assault,” Haislet said.

“It’s really gender specific, because it was created for talking about how a bystander can intervene,” said Haislet. “Because it’s mostly male violence against women, we have two members from [the fraternity,] SigEp leading the male breakout session because it’s more effective when you have a male facilitator who talks to males and a female facilitator, which will be myself, Katie [student body president], and Kaylee [graduate assistant], when talking to females.”

Health Educator & Victim Services and advocate for sexual assault survivors, Joan Thompson, hopes to see this workshop really help change the culture.

“The evaluations from MVP have been usually very positive and impactful so you can tell from that that it’s likely the student’s behaviors will change as a result of MVP,” said Thompson.

Thompson also explained the importance of this issue.

“As an advocate, I can see the aftermath and what happens to students as a result of a sexual assault,” Thompson said. “I don’t want to have to see people suffer and we’re looking at 20 percent of a population, you know, even one is too many.”

Overall, Thompson states what she wants students to understand what it means when taking the “It’s on Us” pledge. She said that we need to play a role and become a part of a changing culture; it is important to give students the skills and knowledge to prevent sexual assault, rather than tolerating it.

Those interested, visit the “It’s on Us” website to learn more information and how to take the pledge against sexual assault.