Walking a labyrinth can symbolize walking the path of life.

For Sexual Assault Peer Advocates, that sort of meditative comparison will serve as a wrap-up event for this year’s Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

SAPA’s Labyrinth of Light, a candle-lit labyrinth in Moore’s Outdoor Amphitheater beginning 8:30 p.m. today at, will be a campuswide event that will welcome people to walk inside the metaphorical maze.

“People can walk and meditate on the issue of sexual aggression,” said Susanne Stefanski, a CMU advocate dedicated counselor.

Stefanski, along with Michelle Bigard and members of SAPA, has been working to conceptualize the outline of the labyrinth.

“It will be a classical labyrinth – winding and circular,” said Bigard, a faculty member in the Counseling Center. “It should be a path that people can walk collectively, using the time to reflect or celebrate.”

The labyrinth will serve as a tool in raising awareness about the issue of sexual aggression and the ways in which it affects people’s lives.

Stefanski said people need to talk about sexual assault more often as statistically, one in four women will be sexually assaulted.

Moving people to talk or think about the issue of sexual aggression is the essence of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Labyrinth of Light is meant to take advantage of people’s silence toward the issue and turn it inward, spurring contemplation.

“It will be a very moving event,” said Jacki Pingel, Dewitt graduate student and member of SAPA. “Being highly participatory, it moves people towards meditation.”

During the past month, SAPA has hosted an art exhibit, a speaker and the Take Back the Night march.

In case of rain, the labyrinth will be moved indoors to the Moore Hall Kiva. The labyrinth would then be smaller and outlined in canvas lights instead of candles.

Stefanski said she is confident the event will have an impact across campus.

“Walking a labyrinth is a pretty powerful experience,” Stefanski said.

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