Project SAFE Plans for Sexual Assault Awareness Month

By: Reanna Sturgill

Project SAFE hosts events, resource tables, and educational services to raise awareness of violence in relationships.

The goal for Project SAFE is to prevent and address gender based violence. This violence covers any abuse in relationships: physical, emotional, economic, and verbal. 

Project SAFE Campus Coordinator Aniela Tyksinski raises awareness of its resources and the free confidential service they offer. Tyksinski said “A huge piece of what I do is making sure people know there is support for these kinds of experiences, and you don’t have to go through it by yourself.”

For Project SAFE, prevention looks more instructional. Tyksinski said “The prevention side is another whole project where it's thinking about how do we start conversations on campus, how do we create safe spaces on campus, how do we model healthy behaviours with faculty, staff, and students.”

Tyksinski has been in this role for 9 months. Originally, Project SAFE was managed by two individuals for the entire City Colleges of Chicago system. Tyksinski said that “There were some events, there were some training, but it was a lot smaller.” Over the summer, Project SAFE expanded to include a campus coordinator at each college.

While Project SAFE and the Wellness Center occasionally work together, they have different services. The Wellness Center focuses on healing from trauma and mental health. Tyksinski said that “...advocacy is a little more attuned to immediate needs that someone may have in the aftermath of violence or abuse.”

Survivor Advocacy was launched in Oct. 2024 and provides direct support to students, faculty, and staff who have experienced violence. There are three advocates based at the seven City Colleges of Chicago.

The Survivor Advocacy Community Outreach Specialist, Jane Bolton, said that “Our sister organization, Project SAFE, does gender-based violence prevention and education. We provide direct advocacy support for folks who have experienced gender-based violence and then other forms of violence as well.”

Survivor Advocacy Community Outreach Specialist, Jane Bolton, at the Project SAFE and Survivor Advocacy table in the Women’s History Month Fair. Photo Credit: Reanna Sturgill

Tyksinski “Because we’re so new, this semester is the first semester where we’re really going full speed ahead.” After the first semester of tabling and getting the word out, Project SAFE is moving toward “a full calendar of events.” 

Tyksinski said, “My goal this semester is to do as much as I possibly can because I think there is a real need for folks to see us, to know us.” Tyksinski has seen an increase in people reaching out since Project SAFE has increased its events.

On their flyers, Project SAFE says that events are open to “survivors, supporters, and allies.” Tyksinski said that “I think the hope is that more and more people see themselves as allies and having something to do with this work.” 

Tyksinski added that “You don’t have to have this experience of being in an abusive relationship. But chances are you probably know somebody and you might not realize it. We’re all in spaces with each other, we’re all in community with each other.” 

By increasing knowledge and resources, Tyksinski said that their community can be stronger, safer, and more supportive.

Tyksinski is also excited to develop relationships with their partners. The April events will feature some of them like Awakenings and KAN-WIN. Project SAFE is planning to host six events in April for Sexual Assault Awareness Month.