Program sells underwear to raise funds for abuse victims

Staff members of UNC's Assault Survivor's Advocacy Program have come up with a unique way to not only get the program's message across, but to also raise money for their biannual Sexual Assault Free Enrollment Week. The fundraiser took place all week, and today is the last day to participate.

The theme for SAFE Week this year was "Where's Your Line?" The events included Nancy Schwartzmen and her film "The Line"; a Wellness Workshop, "How to Build Healthy Relationships"; the "Got Consent?" fundraiser; and Teatro Izcali, a Chicana comedy troupe that promotes cultural consciousness.

Brittany Bohl, the graduate assistant for ASAP and a graduate student in the Higher Education & Student Affair Leadership Program, was one of the people involved in the "Got Consent?" underwear fundraiser.

"In the Assault Survivors Advocacy Program, consent is something that we do peer education on a lot," Bohl said. "That is why it is an important issue for us."    

According to ASAP's informational pamphlet, the program offers confidential services for survivors of sexual assault, intimate partner violence and stalking. ASAP also includes support for family, friends and concerned others, as well as  a 24-hour help hotline.

All of the funds raised in this week's "Got Consent?" underwear fundraiser will go to SAFE Week programs, which include intense programming geared toward sexual assault prevention.

Cody Thomas, an undeclared freshman, was one of the students who purchased the "Got Consent?" underwear.

"It is important to make sure that people are actually aware of things like sexual assault, because it happens a lot more then anyone likes to think," Thomas said. "I can say that because I have seen it."

Brittany Pozzi, a senior psychology major, was one of the students who helped organize the fundraiser.

"This booth brings awareness to the health of relationships and safe dating and everything that ASAP is about," Pozzi said. "I think it is good for people to acknowledge everything that this program consists of."

The underwear for the week is available for purchase for the rest of the semester in the ASAP