In recognition of April as “Sexual Assault Awareness Month,” Assault Care Center Extending Shelter and Support is sponsoring several programs to help educate the Iowa State and Ames communities.

All the events and programs are free and open to the public.

Krista Jacob, outreach and volunteer program director of ACCESS, said center officials hope the programs are informative.

“ACCESS is using these events to raise awareness about the nature and consequences of rape and other forms of sexual assault,” she said.

Jacob said sexual assault is an issue that too often is shrouded in stereotypes.

“April as ‘Sexual Assault Awareness Month’ allows us a time to focus on the issue and dispel some myths about it,” she said. “People need to be educated about sexual assault to understand it.”

ACCESS also is co-sponsoring the Take Back the Night rally, along with the Committee Against Violence. The event will be held April 14.

Jehan Faisal, co-chairwoman for Take Back the Night, said the theme of the rally is “Put the Light Back in the Night.”

“[It is] about reclaiming the night space and public space for women,” said Faisal, senior in English.

She said she expects about 300 people to participate.

“The event is a rally and march honoring survivors of sexual assault, where ISU students and the Ames community can come together for this cause,” Faisal said.

The rally will start at 7:15 p.m. on the front steps of Curtiss Hall. The route of the march then goes by the Memorial Union through Campustown and through the greek system.

A reception at the Margaret Sloss Women’s Center will be held following the march.

Some of the Sexual Assault Awareness Month events include:

• An informational booth will be set up Tuesday on the ground floor of the Memorial Union from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ACCESS volunteers and people involved with Take Back the Night will be handing out information and purple ribbons.

• A program addressing campus rape will be held April 21, in Room 234 of the MU, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Jacob said it will focus on the types of sexual assault and what to do if sexual assault occurs.

• There will be a showing of the video “Dreamworlds 2” on April 29, in Room 234 of the MU from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Jacob said the video deals with the images of women in rock videos and how these visuals can be detrimental to women.