Local universities recognize Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Fraternity members and other men at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill took steps Thursday to understand and help stop sexual violence against women.

For Andrew Brennen, a remember of the Sigma Phi fraternity, the journey started with walking a mile in a pair of women's shoes.

"What we wanted to do was crate a space where members of both the Greek community, and non-Greek community, could openly discuss the issue of sexual assault and figure out how we can make a campus a safer place for all students," Brennen said.

"Things like toilet paper, toothbrushes, bed sheets, personal necessity items, maybe a stuffed animal for a child," said Tammy Donald with the Durham Crisis Response Center. "Those are the types of things we need on an ongoing regular basis."

These partnerships come at a time when two fraternities, one at Duke University, and one at NC State, are suspended pending an investigation related to sexual assault allegations.

John Stewart, the interfraturnity president at NC State, believes now more than ever, Greek organizations must exemplify what they do best.

"One of the great things that IFC is doing now is really spearheading that leadership in terms of having those difficult conversations, and making sure events that we have are safe," Stewart said.

The event at UNC benefited the Rape Crisis Center of Orange County and the Fraternities for Families group also sponsors a golf tournament that benefits the Durham Crisis Response Center.