“Sexual violence happens on a spectrum.” – Keynote speaker Bonny Shade emphasizes the impact of sexual violence in a college setting.

On January 18th, the athletic department, fraternity, and sorority hosted a social event for PC students at Edmunds Hall to broaden students’ awareness of campus-based sexual violence. The name of the program, Just Another Assault: A Conversation to End Sexual Violence, is voiced by guest speaker Bonny Shade. As a survivor of sexual violence, she battles daily for survivors to be heard, believed, and understood. In addition to that, Shade advocates for women’s empowerment and healthy relationships throughout her in-depth keynotes.

To highlight the event, Bonny Shade radiated a lively and approachable aura as she discussed the controversial issue of sexual violence in a campus-based setting. She mentioned that the significance of consent is active, conscious, and ongoing. Another point to consider is that Shade cultivated five steps on how to encounter this issue specifically.

The five proactive steps to initiate when faced with sexual violence are:

1) Know how to identify sexual violence at all stages.

2) Be aware of what consent looks and feels like.

3) Be conscious of how to step in and out.

4) Perceive how to respond to a victim/survivor.

5) Understand that you are not the expert.

Most importantly, Shade illustrated the idea that every survivor of sexual violence is similar to how the art of Kintsugi, a traditional Japanese art form, perceives broken objects. Embracing flaws and imperfections is the golden line that constructs our importance in life, and healing is part of the process.

For more information about Bonny Shade and her goal, visit Bonny Shade Speaks, LLC.