“Break the Silence” Fair: Creating Space for Dialogue, Prevention, and Support

Hosted by: Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (Edwardsville, IL)

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) hosted its “Break the Silence Activity and Resource Fair,” a campus wide event to promote open dialogue, reduce stigma, and increase awareness about prevention of substance use and sexual assault.

Organized by the university’s Social Work Practicum Office in partnership with the Title IX Office, the event brought together students, faculty, staff, community organizations, and local law enforcement in a trauma informed setting that emphasized connection, education, and support.

“Break the Silence” is designed as an interactive experience (rather than a traditional lecture or presentation). The goals are to increase awareness of consent and bodily autonomy, educate participants about the risks associated with substance use, reduce stigma related to seeking help, and connect students (particularly first year students) to prevention and support resources. Inside the university center, participants engaged with a variety of activities, which included:

• Facilitated discussions;
• Prevention focused games (such as a giant block-stacking game and a four-in-a-row game);
• Sticky note activities, where participants wrote messages of encouragement, solidarity, and support for survivors;
• Resource booths (from campus and community organizations specializing in substance use prevention, sexual assault prevention, and survivor aftercare). Student organizations provided psychoeducation on substance use, healthy relationships, consent, and related prevention topics. Local community agencies shared information about their organizations’ services available to students and community members (including resources related to domestic violence, sexual assault, and substance use). 

The SAMHSA planning stipend was used to cover: 

• Venue reservation fee
• Event flyer
• Supplies and materials for participant activities
• Impaired-vision simulation goggles (used as part of an experiential activity) 

Making Prevention Visible and Approachable

To expand visibility and reach, the event extended outdoors to the campus quad. It drew in at least 200 people (not including volunteers) who might not seek out prevention programs—and created low barrier entry points for conversation and engagement.

Local law enforcement showed up in a few ways. First, a wrecked vehicle display served as a visual reminder of the consequences of driving under the influence of any substance. Second, a “Cover the Cruiser” activity invited participants to write positive messages for students (in support of prevention and recovery) on a police vehicle.

SIUE’s Police Department brought two therapy dogs, Max and Chase, who were available for petting and cuddling. They drew large crowds and created a calm, welcoming environment (including for those who have trouble discussing prevention or trauma related topics).

Addressing Substance Use on Campus

SIUE has several campus-wide initiatives that support prevention, health, and student well-being—as part of its broader commitment to creating a safe, supportive campus environment. The university has a dedicated task force (focused on sexual assault awareness, prevention, and education) and a health promotions specialist (who promotes student health and well-being).

The Communities Talk event was designed to complement these ongoing initiatives, while highlighting the intersectionality of alcohol use and sexual assault.

“Alcohol and sexual violence are important issues to address together because they can intersect in ways that increase vulnerability and complicate how we understand consent, safety, and prevention,” says Jessica Ulrich of SIUE’s Department of Social Work. “Our goal with this event was to create a space where students could learn about these connections while also engaging in meaningful conversations about supporting survivors, making safer choices, and looking out for one another.”

Building on a Growing Prevention Effort

This was SIUE’s third “Break the Silence” event as a Communities Talk initiative, which provided an opportunity to emphasize the intersection between substance use and sexual violence. SIUE carries that focus forward—through tabling events, residence hall programming, awareness activities, and classroom presentations focused on consent and healthy relationships.

Communities Talk served as a catalyst for strengthening and expanding prevention conversations that can continue throughout the academic year, while connecting students with campus and community resources.