As a part of "This is What a Feminist Looks Like week", two student organizations will hold panels and discussions on sexual violence and gender roles today and Thursday.

The week is sponsored by feminist student group Empowerment and seeks to remove the stigma of feminism.

Today at 7 p.m. in Cudahy Hall 001, Violence Opposition in Community Education is sponsoring "Men, Masculinity, and Sexual Violence: A Discussion." V.O.I.C.E. is a sexual violence prevention peer education group run through the Counseling Center, according to Christopher Daood, assistant director of the Counseling Center.

In the panel, five professors will discuss masculinity, male gender roles and male involvement in sexual violence prevention, Daood said.

Desiree Valentine, a College of Communication junior and V.O.I.C.E member, said one of the purposes of the panel is to get men involved in the discussion of sexual violence.

Valentine said people tend to posit sexual violence as a women's issue. But even though the majority of sexual violence crimes are committed by men, Valentine said only a small number of men commit the crimes.

"So we're all allies in a fight against sexual violence," Valentine said.

The panel will take hour with a discussion and dessert reception afterward.

Professors participating include Edward de St. Aubin, associate professor of psychology; R. Clifton Spargo, associate professor of English; Michael Monahan, assistant professor of philosophy; Theresa Tobin, assistant professor of philosophy; and Anthony Peressini, Honors Program associate professor of philosophy.

The second panel, sponsored by Empowerment, will be held Thursday at 7 p.m. in Cudahy Hall 001.

Panelists will discuss discrimination of women and the ways culture makes sexual violence more acceptable, according to Marki Romenesko, a junior in the College of Health Sciences and co-chair of Empowerment.

"The focus will be on being aware of the culture we live in and how it affects the lives of women," Romenesko said.

Panelists include Amelia Zurcher, associate professor of English; Daood; Bridgette Hensley, Counseling Center psychologist, and a student representative from V.O.I.C.E.

The panel is Empowerment's first event since its revival as a student organization this year.

The purpose of both panels is to encourage discussion and promote awareness.

"The first step is awareness through talking about things people are uncomfortable with," Romenesko said.

Valentine said both V.O.I.C.E. and Empowerment are hoping the panels will foster discussion.

"We want people to ask questions and we want people to jump into the conversation," Valentine said.

Bake sales to raise money for Empowerment and to educate individuals on gender discrimination in the workplace will take place throughout the week in Lalumiere Hall.