As part of an event to raise awareness about sexual assault put on by the BYU–Hawaii Counseling and Disability Services, students were invited to paint their hands turquoise blue and press them into bright white poster paper on April 4. Once their handprint was on the paper, students took a Sharpie marker and completed the sentence “Hands are made for…,” which was written on the paper.
Five students, one of whom was a volunteer for the service event, said raising awareness about sexual assault is important because it can happen anywhere, even on a campus like BYUH.
Alena Niehaus, a freshman from Texas studying psychology, said the handprints are a cool way for the Counseling Services to raise awareness because the paint catches people’s attention. “If people grew up not talking about [sexual assault] at home, they’re not really aware of it and how bad it is,” she continued. “They could be kind of sheltered in a way, so this opens your eyes to what really happens.”
Patricia Tandiman, a sophomore majoring in psychology from Indonesia, was one of the volunteers painting students’ hands blue. “It’s important to raise awareness because this happens around us, whether we like it or not.
“Even though this is a Church college, we’re all humans and we have flaws and we make mistakes so it can happen here too, which is why it’s so important to know about this stuff.”
Students wrote on the poster paper that hands are made for serving, wiping tears, and helping and caring for other people, to name just a few.
Veronica Davis, a sophomore majoring in communications from Hawaii, said, “I think it’s really cool they’re having us do handprints. The phrase ‘hands are made for…’ is really significant and important because it’s not only a good way to spread awareness [about sexual assault], but can also influence people to use their hands for good.”
When asked what she thinks hands are made for, Davis said, “Helping and loving people in an appropriate way.”
Her friend, Tatum Sammons, a sophomore majoring in communications from Arizona, added, “Hands are made for holding.”
Davis laughed and asked, “Holding what?”
Sammons shrugged. “For being held? I don’t know. Hands are meant for us to use to take action [and serve others.]”
Jershon Carulla, a freshman majoring in business management supply chain from Saipan, said, “It seems like sometimes we think [sexual assault] doesn’t happen. We kind of ignore it in our society and don’t talk about it. This event is a great idea because it draws attention to the Counseling Center and helps people know where they can go for help if they’re dealing with this.”
Among the handouts given to students at the event were colorful bookmarks. On the front of the bookmarks are the words, “If you SEE something, SAY something, DO something” in bold print. On the back is a list of characteristics and warning signs that someone could be in an abusive relationship.
One of the listed characteristics is sexual abuse, which the bookmark describes as forcing someone to do things against his or her own will. Other characteristics of abuse included on the bookmark are physical abuse, emotional manipulation, intimidation, and control.
Also included on the bookmark is the Title IX number, (808) 675-4585, and email, titleix@byuh.edu. If you or someone you know have any questions or is experiencing anything like this, please reach out for love and help at BYUH Counseling and Disability Services or from your local ecclesiastical leaders.
Writer: Emi Wainwright