April is Sexual Assault Awareness month, and special events are planned throughout this week to highlight the issue.

The awareness events begin with a film screening scheduled for 5 p.m. today at the Evans Auditorium at Berry College. The film “No!” examines the impact of sexual violence on black women and girls.

Among those who appear in the film are advocates, theologians, sociologists, historians and survivors.

On Tuesday, a panel discussion titled “Voices Ignored” will be held at 5 p.m. in the science auditorium at Berry. Survivors, activists and community members will discuss sexual assault.

“Walking the Walk” is an interactive program that will give individuals a chance to experience the events and decisions that survivors face after an assault. The program is scheduled for 5 p.m. Wednesday at Berry College’s Krannert Center.

The final event of the week will be a “speak-out” and candlelight vigil at 8 p.m. Friday at The Forum. Scheduled to speak are survivors of sexual assault, as well as family members of victims, who also have to cope with the effects of the assault.

Throughout this month, T-shirts created by survivors are on display on clotheslines at the Rome-Floyd County Library and Mt. Berry Square mall.

Ten new billboards have also been posted around Northwest Georgia by the Sexual Assault Center. The theme of the billboards is “No Matter What,” emphasizing that there is never an excuse for sexual assault to occur.

For more information on Sexual Assault Awareness Month, call the local center at 706-292-9024