Nolan Duncan
April 24th, 2025
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WMUL-FM) — Teal lights were installed on Marshall University’s campus at the end of March to begin Marshall’s recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month during April.
Alyssa Hager, the coordinator for the Violence Prevention and Response Program, said teal was used because it is the official color for Sexual Assault Awareness Month. She said this year was the first time students could come out and help place the lights.
“We usually do this independently, but we thought it would be a good opportunity for people to get involved,” Hager said.
Alongside helping put out the lights, students could also stop by the Memorial Student Center and make s’mores.
Graduate Assistant Justin Clevenger said making this a bigger event helps spread awareness of the month.
Clevenger said, “The event is important to help get a more visual aspect to awareness.” He said, “This year we decided we wanted to get the community involved and make it an event where people can feel like they’re spreading more awareness.”
One student helped place the lights because of what she had learned in class. Criminal justice major Demi Olinalamp said after learning more about sexual assault crimes, she wanted to use her voice to be a part of the event.
Olinalamp said, “As a criminal justice major, I learned a lot, unfortunately, about really tough crime and how crime goes significantly unreported.” She added that sexual assault crimes are some that are extremely underreported.
Hager said events like this are important to showing the campus community the resources available to them and reminding them that survivors have a line of support. Hager’s goal is to show that she welcomes all students with respect.
Light the Night was among many events that took place this April to not only spread awareness of sexual assault but also to support victims.
For more information and resources, visit the Violence Prevention and Response Program’s website: https://www.marshall.edu/violence-prevention/