The It’s On Us organization sponsored a pledge drive through most of October for signatures to raise awareness about sexual assault on the campuses across the country.  

The pledge drive was a chance for students on campuses across America to advocate for safe campuses, engage the community in prevention and lead the charge for change.  

Wayne State College had 130 individuals participate in the Pledge Drive, which helped ranked WSC first in their division among competing schools.  

The It’s On Us mission is to build a team of dedicated student leaders who will educate others on sexual and interpersonal violence awareness and consent. The organization wants to support survivors while also trying to prevent violence from occuring in the first place.  

Teresa Johnson, the president of this club on campus, feels like this is an important organization to be a part of. 

“I have always had a drive to help others and even prevent things such as sexual assault, domestic violence and stalking from happening,” Johnson said. “I feel like this is an important group to have on campus because it breaks down the stigmas and barriers of these tough conversations and shows that everyone’s voice matters, that nobody is alone.”  

Mia Birch, the treasurer for the organization, shared similar feelings about the pledge.  

“The pledge is organized by the national It’s On Us organization,” Birch said. “Each participating chapter demonstrates that students are willing to take steps toward creating change on campus.”  

The ultimate goal of the pledge is to promote change and support survivors.  

“It allows everyone to take a stand for a safer campus across the country,” Johnson said. “I just want everyone’s voice to matter and show that they do have a voice in preventing and bringing awareness to end sexual assault.”  

Johnson knows this is a hard topic to talk about, so that is why It’s On Us is such an important group to have on campus.  

“Showing that we have a group on campus that’s willing to break down those barriers and talk about these complex topics makes it important to have on the WSC campus,” Johnson said. “It also shows that you are not alone, and that no matter what you are going through, there is somebody there for you who is willing to help you get through it and get you the correct resources you need.” 

More information about the organization’s mission can be found on its website.