Orange Coast College hosts sexual assault prevention event Wednesday

In recognition of Sexual Assault Prevention Month, Orange Coast College will hold an event to educate students about the subject, including information about sexual discrimination laws and victim support groups.

The Sexual Assault/Violence Prevention Fair will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday in the school’s quad.

The Orange County Community Services Program and Casa De Familia will participate in the fair, along with other groups and programs.

The fair will provide information on Title IX, a federal law prohibiting sexual discrimination at educational institutions. This event will also educate students on California’s Affirmative Consent law, known by some as the “Yes means yes” standard.

“We have bright students who want to learn, so we want to put the information out there so they can make conscious decisions,” Associate Dean of Title IX, Student Relations Derek Vergara said.

Students will have the opportunity to participate in a pledge promising to play an active role in identifying and preventing sexual assault, rather than being a bystander. This pledge is also known as “It’s on Us.”

After the fair, Cal State Long Beach’s performance group InterACT Troupe will hold a performance in OCC’s Robert B. Moore Theatre from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. The group showcases vignettes on sexual assault and bystander intervention.

The Orange Coast campus is at 2701 Fairview Ave. and plans to hold at least two prevention fairs each school year.

—Alex Chan