As part of National Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the Sexual Assault Counseling and Information Services is going to “Shake It for SACIS.”

From 6 to 10 p.m. today in the Grand Ballroom of Martin Luther King Jr. University Union, participants will dance to raise funds and increase community awareness of the sexual assault services.

Participants can choose to learn a variety of dances including hip-hop, swing, line dancing, waltz, cha cha, rumba, belly dancing, Buchata and salsa.

After the lessons, participants can gather to see area residents demonstrate various dances.

The entrance fee is $5 and giveaways will be awarded throughout the evening.

Throughout April, sexual violence prevention advocates promote activities to raise awareness of sexual assault and its prevention.

Bonnie Buckley, executive director of SACIS, said SACIS offers many service free of charge and confidential.

SACIS provides services to residents of Coles and Cumberland counties who have experienced sexual violence or who are the significant other of people who have been victimized.

Services include crisis counseling in person and through a 24-hour hotline at 348-5033 or (888) 345-2846.

Counseling and advocacy includes being with people during hospital procedures following an assault plus assisting people through police and court procedures.

SACIS provides public education programs for people of all ages, including puppet programs and curriculums for children and high school students. Professional trainings and institutional advocacy are also provided.

Tynisa Watson, a junior family and consumer sciences major, has volunteered with SACIS since her sophomore year.

“I volunteered because I wanted to gain more knowledge about sexual assault and help people,” Watson said. “I went through the 40 hour training with SACIS my sophomore year, I believe, to become a trained sexual assault advocate. This by far was one of the best things I have done.

“Not only through the program was I able to educate myself, but now I am able to use the knowledge I gained and help others.”

Watson said the “Shake It for SACIS” even is a great cause that serves not only the campus but surrounding communities as well.

“Sexual assault is such a serious issue, and I hope our fundraiser will help more people become aware and want to get involved and go through sexual assault training just as I did,” she said.

Jacqueline Nathalie Loma can be reached at 581-7942 or at DENnewsdesk@gmail.com.