Mercer Island High School (MIHS) juniors Maya Talby and Anusha Zaveri presented a sexual assault awareness assembly to the senior class on March 19 to educate and empower their peers about the important topic.
In collaboration with representatives from the King County Sexual Assault Resource Center (KCSARC) and sexual assault survivor Tami Brooks — who spoke at the event — the organizers brought their message to about 400 seniors in the school’s performing arts center. The KCSARC reps provided resources to the attendees and led small question and answer sessions.
By sharing the story of their event, Talby said it could be a powerful way to raise awareness. This is the third consecutive year the event has been held at MIHS and has featured Brooks as the speaker.
“I feel like it’s kind of a topic that isn’t really talked about. And I see, when it is mentioned, people getting uncomfortable, or people start to make jokes,” Talby said. “I just personally think that it’s really important to not make it something that’s like taboo. I think that just helps teens know about this topic and are hearing from someone with a story.”
Zaveri added: “I think it’s more of a general topic for awareness. We just find that it’s really relevant.” Talby and Zaveri said they don’t know anyone who has been sexually assaulted.
According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center’s nationwide statistics, 81% of women and 43% of men reported experiencing some form of sexual harassment and/or assault in their lifetime.
Brooks said she’s glad that they’ve created some extra awareness around Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, which is placed on the calendar each April. “This month is all about raising our voices, raising awareness, and taking action,” reads the KCSARC website.
The guest speaker said it’s been an honor and privilege to participate in the MIHS event the past three years.
“I knew within weeks of being drugged and raped that if I found purpose in pain and made a difference for the silent victims, my voice mattered. It’s a subject that nobody wants to talk about. I wasn’t prepared for it in my life and I’m committed to educating others by transparency in sharing my recovery story journey,” Brooks told the Reporter. “Regardless of what adversity life throws at you, my goal is to inspire others. That despite what life throws at you, you’re stronger and more resilient than you can even fathom.”
Zaveri said she feels the assembly was a success and saw that the attendees were attentive from start to finish.
“That’s why we keep actually re-running it because we see that it is resonating with people. They’re pulled into the story,” said Zaveri, adding that they’ve received some feedback that the subject is maybe too raw and creates discomfort. “In a way, I think that’s kind of positive because you need to have uncomfortable conversations. That’s why we’re doing it.”
Talby relayed her feelings about being involved in the assembly: “It seems like it just really has a big impact. For me personally, I’m just like so happy to be able to bring this and have the opportunity to even do an assembly like this here.”
Sexual assault survivor Tami Brooks shares her story at the Mercer Island High School sexual assault awareness assembly on March 19. Photo courtesy of the Mercer Island School District
Mercer Island High School seniors attended the sexual assault awareness assembly on March 19. Photo courtesy of the Mercer Island School District
