ERIKETA COST
Special to The Leader
Bringing the community together with music is one way to start a conversation about sexual assault.
Fredonia’s musical fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha, and STEPs (Students Teaching Equals Positive Sexuality) held their “It’s On Us” concert last Friday.
A capella groups, jazz groups and other performers came together to bring unity within the community.
The event’s focus was on spreading awareness of sexual assault and creating a discussion. It was in correspondence with the national “It’s On Us” movement.
“It’s On Us” sparks discussion about sexual assault among communities with hopes to end the violence.
The campaign emphasizes that solutions to ending sexual assault begin with joining the conversation through creative ideas, grassroots organizations and involvement.
The Brothers of the Rho Chi chapter of Phi Mu Alpha created the event to encourage students, teachers and other members of the Fredonia community to join the conversation and sign the “It’s On Us” pledge.
Mario Marrazzo, vice president of Phi Mu Alpha, sat at a table informing students and encouraging them to sign the pledge.
“The pledge is all about being responsible and spreading awareness,” Marrazzo said.
The pledge involves four key words: recognize, identify, intervene and create.
“It’s important to recognize that there is a non-consensual act, identify situations that may occur, intervene in those situations and create a safe environment,” Marrazzo said.
The event also encouraged participation in raffles that raised money for The Salvation Army Anew Center for sexual assault and domestic violence victims in Chautauqua County.
“We are located in Jamestown, but serve all of Chautauqua County,” prevention educator of the Anew Center Leslie DeSantis said. “We have 24/7 shelter available to anyone who may need help for sexual assault victims and domestic violence victims, and we also have 24/7 hotlines.”
STEPS e-board member Shana Gordon spoke about the musical aspect of the “It’s On Us” concert.
“Phi Mu Alpha wants to celebrate that we are all trying to make a difference,” Gordon said. “Since Phi Mu Alpha is a music fraternity, they figured the best way to do that was through music.”
The music aspect of the event can also encourage the community to come together in a relaxing and enjoyable environment.
“Some people think that learning about assault is intimidating, so adding that fun music feature is good,” Gordon said.
The event featured The Riveters, Some Like it Hot, Tom Gestwicki, Robbie Reeve, Wyatt Watson, STEPS, Phi Mu Alpha, Fred Mills and Soul’r Inc.