This Friday, a concert is taking place at the Playhouse. We think you should go. It’s free for Point Park students, the bands are probably going to be pretty solid, and more than that – the event’s purpose is to raise awareness for sexual violence.

This live music event is in direct collaboration with Point Park’s Title IX division, a nationwide anti-discriminatory initiative that provides protection against prejudice and intolerance within education.

Not On My Campus, Her Campus and the Feminist Collective are among the campus organizations that regularly raise awareness surrounding sexual violence. These organizations, which all possess strong presences on campus, have also held events to spark conversation surrounding the normally sensitive subject.

How heartbreaking it is that these organizations have to exist in the capacity that they do – as a result of a broken world and system that’s resulted in and turned towards sexual violence and abuse – but how grateful we are as students that we have outlets that can look at our situations within campus and within our nation and tell us, genuinely, that they care.

Sexual assault on college campuses is not a new problem, but as students, we have the ability to combat it in new ways. By speaking out, we can help break the stigma. And yes, the stigma is real.

When victims of sexual assault are called liars or attention seekers, while their attackers leave jail after a mere number of weeks — there’s no doubt that there is a problem. The solution to this problem lies with us. As Joe Biden so aptly named his campaign against this issue — It’s On Us.

We can help foster a campus environment where both women and men feel comfortable sharing their stories. We can help educate our peers on appropriate conduct, inside and outside of the classroom. We can make a difference.

How valuable it is that we attend a university that addresses issues relevant to our lives and our concerns.

How significant it is to actually break the silence.