ACU’s Title IX office will conduct a poetry slam at 7 p.m. Thursday on the rooftop of Dillard Hall. This is a part of ACU’s Sexual Assault Awareness Month program, which is helping students learn the signs of sexual abuse and how to report it.

The group of ACU students who created this event includes Scout Harrell, Madeline Dayton, Sarah Gallup, Tsion Amare, Ammie Brooks and Jessica King.

Madeline Dayton (Left) and Scout Harrell (Right)

Harrell, senior social work major from Seattle, Washington, said they picked slam poetry as an event to show support to those who are victims in a unique way.

“We chose poetry because it’s a way to express your thoughts and feelings,” Harrell said. “I think this is a way for students to do that again just so that way they can say what they want to say, what is on their heart.”

Madeline Dayton, junior global studies and business management major from Katy, said people shouldn’t be afraid to voice their opinion.

“In my opinion, I think it’s something that is addressed only when it absolutely needs to be, and I think that is a problem,” Dayton said. “Just with the culture that we live in today and especially with the generation that we are a part of is not known for shying away from topics. I think we are known for approaching them and also taking them public.”

Dayton says the event is open to men and women and hopes people will come attend the event.

Harrell said that sometimes it’s hard for conservative Christian campuses to talk about subjects such as sexual assault.

“We are a conservative Christian campus; it’s very hard to talk about sexual abuse because it’s such a personal thing,” Harrell said. “I think it’s really important that we start doing that as well on our Christian campus.”

Adiditonally, Harrell hopes to see ACU athletics engage with the Title IX office for the purpose of educating student athletes.

“I think athletics needs to step up and take a stand and get involved in making sure it doesn’t happen,” Harrell said.