BUCKHANNON, West Virginia –  Two student groups at West Virginia Wesleyan College are raising awareness against sexual assault which one in six women and one in 33 men experience in the United States.

On Tuesday, April 2, there will be a luminary display on the Wesley Chapel steps called Light of Hope with a ceremony beginning at 7:30 p.m. WE LEAD’s Invisible Illness team is hosting the ceremony for Sexual Assault Awareness Month. WV FRIS (West VIrginia Foundation for Rape Information Services) has designated April 2 as the state-wide day of action to raise awareness about sexual assault and promote discussions around preventing it in our communities. 

The WE LEAD Invisible Illness Team would like to invite the greater Buckhannon community to join us for the Light of Hope luminary display and ceremony as we raise awareness, bring hope and healing to victims, and pledge to make our community safer.  

Jessica Vincent ‘12, Director of the Center for Community Engagement, remarked, “As our students work to tackle issues affecting individuals within the Wesleyan community, it’s disheartening to know that this issue transcends boundaries, affecting individuals from all walks of life. It’s imperative that this event is shared with our greater community and serves as a beacon of hope and healing for everyone involved.”

Amy Kittle, Title IX coordinator, will offer words opening the ceremony and the Centers Against Violence will be available with resources and for people to take a pledge against sexual assault. In preparation for the luminary display, local elementary students are decorating bags around the theme of bravery. 

To take the pledge against sexual assault online, click here. 

Leading up to the ceremony, the Brothers of Alpha Sigma Phi will hold their annual 24-hour Stand Against Sexual Assault starting on April 1.

Jay Coping-Smith ‘25, the Philanthropy Chair of Alpha Sigma Phi, said “This event makes me proud to be a part of my fraternity. I hope it continues to spread awareness for RAINN and the sexual violence we hope to stop.” RAINN stands for Rape Abuse Incest National Network and is one of five philanthropies the fraternity supports.