Now in its second year on Miami University's campus, Women Against Violence and Sexual Assault (WAVES) has several events planned this spring to coincide with April's sexual assault awareness month.
WAVES will first speak to the new pledge classes of various sororities alongside MARS-Men Against Rape and Sexual Assault-Sunday.
Nicole Hall, coordinator for sexual assault prevention and creator of WAVES, said it's important for the group to meet with their male counterparts in an effort to provide a combined front against sexual assault.
"There are men on this campus that are our allies," Hall said. "As soon as I came on board I felt like we really needed a women's group in place to go out and do peer education to different residents halls, sororities, organizations, classes, etc. to spread the word and educate people on sexual assault."
According to Hall, WAVES also hopes to organize "Walk a Mile in Her Shoes" in April.
WAVES was formed in November 2007, Hall said, and now in its second year, has 11 members.
"It was really slow last year," Hall said. "It was very disheartening (because) we really only had a couple women interested. I don't think word was out that a group like this was starting, but as the interest for this grew, we were able to have more members apply."
Sophomore Megan Jones, president of WAVES, said she came upon the organization after selecting sexual assault as the subject of an English project during her first year.
"I wanted to do a project on sexual assault because I knew that it was the most vastly underreported crime and I have always been passionate about raising awareness and informing girls on the issue," Jones said.
Although Miami's campus is safe, especially with the help of the Miami University and Oxford city police on call every day, sexual assaults do happen, even in Oxford.
"One in four girls will experience a sexual assault in their life," Hall said.
WAVES is always looking for new members and hopes to expand, Jones said.
