SEATTLE – In conjunction with four upcoming home events, University of Washington athletics will host SAASHA (Student-Athletes Against Sexual Harassment & Assault) week on campus. SAASHA was founded by members of the UW rowing team this past year.
According to Katelyn Costanza, a senior member of the women's rowing team and SAASHA co-leader, "SAASHA is a student-formed and led organization in which student-athletes fight sexual assault and lead cultural change through increasing education and awareness. Our goal is to create communities where all relationships are free from sexual violence."
Events for the week include:
- 9/21 - Greek Row Block Party
- 9/22 – Football vs. ASU
- 9/23 – Men's Soccer vs. Seattle U
- 9/27 – Women's Soccer vs. Oregon State
- 9/28 – Volleyball vs. Colorado
At these events, SAASHA will host a table providing information on the organization as well as initiatives they have created and ways to get involved. In addition, students can "Take the Pledge", signing a form pledging to create healthy cultures and relationships within their respective communities. A backdrop for photo opportunities will also be present for those who take the pledge to share on social media. Public address reads throughout games will also be made, detailing the organization.
Fellow SAASHA co-leader Meg Rutherford shared the following on the formation: "A group of us looked around and thought, how can we respond to the crisis of sexual violence on college campuses? How can we take action in a new way? We recognized the urgency of involving student-athletes on a large scale. We're still in the early stages as a group, so this past year was spent within the rowing team, working to create new projects and connections, and after collecting feedback and support, we are extending out to the rest of the athletic department, looking for them to become involved at a higher level.
"We wanted to go beyond just the regular required trainings and presentations given to athletes. Those are incredibly important, and therefore, we looked to create a space for athletes to take initiative in the conversation and education process, both of themselves and their peers. On a campus as large as the University of Washington's, there are few opportunities to bring diverse populations of students together, and since athletic events/games are one of those, we saw an opportunity to reach out as student-athletes to the rest of our school. That's why we are so excited to be able to be a part of a football, volleyball, women's soccer, and men's soccer games this fall – it's an opportunity for us to share information and resources with large, diverse groups of students."
Assistant women's rowing coach Maggie Phillips serves as the organization's Executive Director and Dr. Hank Pelto, a Washington team physician, assists as a SAASHA advisor.
Additional information and updates can be found by visiting
www.saasha.organd by following saasha_uw on Twitter and Instagram.
