Sexual Violence Awareness Week will be observed at Coastal Carolina University from Monday, Oct. 3, to Friday, Oct. 7, with several programs and events designed to encourage discussion and raise awareness of sexual violence. All events are free and open to the public.

Sexual Violence Awareness Week is observed nationally and throughout many colleges and universities in the United States and overseas.

"The goal at Coastal Carolina University is to get sexual assaults down to zero," said Travis Overton, dean of students.

Events planned for the week include:

Monday, Oct. 3

- A poster-making station on Prince Lawn from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. where students can write messages supporting victims of sexual violence.

- Speaker Tim Mousseau from Denver, Colo., will give a talk about sexual violence that draws from his own experiences at 7 p.m. in the HTC Center.

Tuesday, Oct. 4

- Take Back the Night March and Rally, a nine-year tradition, will begin at 6 p.m. in the Lib Jackson Student Union Courtyard. Faculty, staff and students are invited to march across campus chanting slogans against sexual violence with the hope of showing empathy to survivors of violence and encouraging others to take a stand on their own and "Step Up!" to make a positive impact.

Wednesday, Oct. 5

- The Clothesline Project will be held on Prince Lawn from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Students will create shirts that display messages of support to survivors of sexual violence and hang them on a large clothesline display.

Thursday, Oct. 6

- The Clothesline Project, Prince Lawn, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

- "It Happened Here" film will be shown in Brittain 101 at 6 p.m., and a panel discussion will follow. The film is about five student survivors of sexual assault on college campuses who discuss their fight for accountability and change.

For more information, contact Counseling Outreach Advocacy Student Team (COAST) at 843-349-5022.