Trisha Libansky
  • Class of 2013
  • Richland Center, Wis.

Trisha Libansky Takes Action for Sexual Assault Awareness Month

2013 Apr 16

Trisha Libansky of Richland Center, Wis., is majoring in human development and family studies. Libansky is the Clothesline Project student manager.

Students in the Abuse and the Family class taught by Associate Professor Susan Wolfgram, human development and family studies, are organizing 11 social action projects this semester to raise awareness about healthy sexuality and how to prevent sex abuse of children, the national themes for Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

"Start talking early and often about healthy childhood development and personal boundaries to prevent child sexual abuse. This includes advocating for comprehensive sex education in our schools," Wolfgram said.

"There is evidence that we can be successful in reducing sexual violence in our community through prevention, education and increased awareness. We are all stakeholders," Wolfgram said.

A special event to benefit the Bridge to Hope, a domestic violence shelter in Menomonie serving Dunn and Pepin counties, was held at the Waterfront Bar and Grill with the group Rockin' for Hope Saturday, April 13. A bingo game, silent auction and performance by the alternative band Irie Sol also took place.

Another benefit will be held at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, April 20; the Raw Deal will host Take Back the Night. The event will include speakers, an open mic and a candle-lit walk at 7 p.m. to the UW-Stout Clock Tower to honor victims and survivors.

Erin Sullivan, of Marshall, Minn., is the student project manager for both events.

Another class effort this month is the Clothesline Project, part of a national awareness effort that started in Cape Cod, Mass., in 1990. A traveling display of T-shirts with messages about sexual assault and statistics has been on display in Menomonie:

• April 1-5, Mayo Clinic Health System

• April 6-12, Menomonie Public Library

• April 14-18, Legacy Chocolates

• April 19-22, Acoustic Café

• April 23-26, Robert S. Swanson Library and Learning Center, UW-Stout

• April 27-30, Merle M. Price Commons, UW-Stout

The shirts also will be displayed at Take Back the Night.

The Clothesline Project student manager is Trisha Libansky, of Richland Center. For more information, go to www.clotheslineproject.org.

"This traveling art is a collective testimony that shows the prevalence of sexual violence in our own community and the need for individuals to take a stand and help make our society a safer place," Wolfgram said.

Also in April, interactive presentations on healthy sexuality and preventing child sex abuse will be made by students at eight sites in Dunn, Eau Claire, Pierce and St. Croix counties. The sites and student project managers are:

• Dunn County Jail; Ronnie Moltzau, of Osseo

• Eau Claire County Jail; Shelby Tisdale, of Eau Claire

• Transitions Center in Eau Claire for ex-offenders; Kristin Ziehl, of Greenville

• Northwest Juvenile Detention Center in Eau Claire; Nick Vanzile, of Antigo

• New Richmond High School; Amber Roberts, of Greenville

• River Falls High School; Abby Grenson, of Anoka, Minn.

• Menomonie Middle School; Julia Frank, of Elmwood

• Hmong Mutual Assistance Association in Eau Claire; Sarah Estes, of Albert Lea, Minn.