Harding student athletes Jack Thomas and Taylor Lake participated in the Great American Conference\u2019s Student-Athlete Advisory public service campaign \u201cIt\u2019s on Us\u201d to raise awareness of sexual assault.<\/p>\n
April was designated as sexual awareness month in 2014 by then-President Barack Obama as a step to ending sexual assault on college campuses nationwide. The mission of \u201cIt\u2019s on Us\u201d is for both men and women to make a personal commitment to help participate in ending sexual assault.<\/p>\n
Student athletes from all different sports and universities within the Great American Conference participated in making video and are also part of the Student Athlete Advisory Committees (SAAC) within their own schools.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am proud our student athletes partnered together to create a personalized \u2018It\u2019s on Us\u2019 message that resonates within our footprint,\u201d GAC Commissioner Will Prewitt said. \u201cWe have the opportunity to lead in the field of reducing sexual assaults across college campuses, and I am hopeful this effort will help foster discussion and education at each one of our member institutions.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe more awareness the better when it comes to a serious issue like sexual assault,\u201d Thomas said. \u201cThe first step on being more informed over the issue is to go to itsonus.org<\/a> and take the pledge to stand against sexual assault.\u201d<\/p>\n The Harding chapter of SAAC strives to be the\u00a0primary link between student athletes and administrators to improve the\u00a0experience of all student athletes.<\/p>\n \u201cMy favorite part about being on the SAAC is striving to be relevant in the community,\u201d Thomas said. \u201cAcross the country, athletes have an elevated platform and using this platform to enhance the community is my favorite part.\u201d<\/p>\n The SAAC also strives to develop a leadership council that encourages unity and camaraderie among student athletes; to organize community service efforts to embody a \u201cCommunity of Mission\u201d; to gain student athlete perspectives on issues in athletics; to encourage academic and professional development of the student-athletes; to provide social opportunities and growth for student-athletes and to encourage the Harding student body to support athletic teams.<\/p>\n \u201cI think the most important thing that Harding can do to spread awareness of sexual assault is to be open to talking about it,\u201d Lake said. \u201cThe prevalence of sexual assault will never change if people are not willing to accept that the problem affects every community and if our community is not willing to have an open, honest conversation about ways to help sexual assault victims and prevent assault from happening to others in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n