{"id":278149,"date":"2026-04-21T07:06:07","date_gmt":"2026-04-21T07:06:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/278149\/"},"modified":"2026-04-21T07:06:07","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T07:06:07","slug":"chapmans-cares-leads-the-charge-for-sexual-assault-awareness-month-the-panther-newspaper","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/278149\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapman\u2019s CARES leads the charge for sexual assault awareness month \u2014 The Panther Newspaper"},"content":{"rendered":"

April marks Sexual Assault Awareness Month<\/a>, a time dedicated to raising visibility around interpersonal violence and its prevention. At Chapman University, the Creating A Rape-free Environment for Students organization<\/a> (CARES) serves as the primary engine for this mission, working to turn statistics into stories and silence into action.<\/p>\n

Approximately 13% of all college students<\/a> experience rape or sexual assault. These rates are significantly higher for undergraduates, with 26.4% woman and 6.8% men<\/a> facing rape or sexual assault. Furthermore, an estimated 90% of sexual assaults<\/a> on college campuses go unreported, highlighting a critical need for the safe spaces and advocacy that CARES strives to provide.<\/p>\n

A mission of empowerment and prevention<\/p>\n

Founded in 1993, CARES was born after two resident advisors approached the then-director of Proactive Education, Encouraging Responsibility (PEER) and health education, Dani Smith<\/a>, with concerns that students were being harmed. Today, the organization\u2019s role is defined by three pillars: evaluate, educate and empower.<\/p>\n

After thirty-three years, Smith\u00a0 helped establish the group and emphasized that the work focuses on the fundamentals of\u00a0 \u201cconsent, respect, boundaries and healthy relationships.”<\/p>\n

“The mission includes disseminating prevention information and stimulating discussion with the aim of impacting the rape mentality that pervades our culture,” said Smith.<\/p>\n

Breaking the silence through creative expression<\/p>\n

A hallmark of CARES\u2019s approach is the use of creative expression to help survivors heal. Interpersonal violence is often described as a “hidden epidemic,” and creative works allow survivors to reclaim their voices. Events like the Clothesline Project<\/a> and Take Back the Night<\/a> are designed to educate, raise awareness and provide platforms for artistic expression. Smith told The Panther that these initiatives aim to humanize statistics, making the community more likely to intervene when they see abusive behavior.<\/p>\n

“Sharing narratives and creative expressions helps survivors break their silence and reclaim their voices as they speak about their trauma and the subsequent consequences of what they have experienced,\u201d said Smith.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Visible advocacy and campus presence<\/p>\n

For the students involved, the impact of CARES is found in its high-visibility events that foster a sense of solidarity. Mirabella Romano, a senior biological sciences major, said public displays like the Walk Against Violence<\/a> are vital for community engagement.<\/p>\n

“We, as an organization, strive to be a safe space that people feel like they can come to in the worst moments of their lives to feel listened to, supported and empowered,” Romano said.<\/p>\n

The organization\u2019s president, Kelly Henley, a senior accounting and business administration double major, spoke on the group\u2019s evolution from a departmental entity to a student organization this year.\u00a0<\/p>\n

While the organization has faced logistical hurdles, such as advocating to keep the Clothesline Project in its traditional location, the members remain dedicated to their role as advocates.<\/p>\n

“We are not a support group; we are an event planning group for these prevention education events and a wonderful community,” said Henley.<\/p>\n

CARES encourages all students to practice active bystander intervention<\/a>. Simple actions like checking in on others, creating distractions in risky situations and reporting unwanted behaviors can create a safer campus environment.\u00a0<\/p>\n