UMaine’s Safe Campus Project Raises Awareness About Sexual Assault Via Show, “It’s Not That Simple”

Contact: Carey Nason (207) 581-2515

ORONO — When will someone get up and do something? “It’s Not That Simple,” a show organized by the University of Maine’s Safe Campus project, hopes to raise awareness of sexual assault by asking just this question. The show will be performed on March 26 at 7:30p.m., in Minsky Recital Hall on the UMaine campus. Donations will be accepted to benefit Rape Response Services and Spruce Run in Bangor.

Based on Dept. of Justice statistics, 266 sexual assaults would occur at a university of UMaine’s size each year. The number reported at UMaine in 2006 was 11. The Safe Campus Project hopes to raise awareness of the variety of issues surrounding sexual assault and to encourage victims to report assaults.

“It’s Not That Simple” incorporates visual and performing arts including theatre, dance, music and new media. Through these different mediums, the show powerfully represents many different kinds of assault – including voyeurism, stalking, rape and domestic abuse – and the many emotions that sexual assault victims, and those who know them, experience.

“The show uses a fantastic medium to connect with people,” says Carey Nason, project coordinator of the Safe Campus Project. “Programming is usually not delivered through dance and the arts; we hope to connect to people who are not reached by typical educational programs.”

The Safe Campus Project, located in 102 Fernald Hall on the UMaine campus, is a university organization that works to reduce sexual assault, relationship abuse and stalking in the community. The Safe Campus Project provides support and offers resources and referrals to those affected by interpersonal violence. Anyone affiliated with the University of Maine System is welcome to use the Safe Campus Project’s resources free of cost.

For more information about this event, or to schedule an interview with Carey Nason, please call 207/581.2515 or e-mail carey.nason@umit.maine.edu.