One positive step towards preventing sexual violence on college campuses is overcoming the traditional silent treatment associated with the topic. As April is , this spring has been the perfect time to break that silence, with the help of the newly formed at 草莓社区.
Senior Aliese Gingerich, founder of the group, says that even talking about sexual health 鈥渃an be very hush-hush,鈥� especially on a Christian college campus.
But that 鈥渉ush-hush鈥� has been less so lately. In recent controversy, a Rolling Stone article about the alleged gang rape of a female student at a University of Virginia fraternity party was . Also in the press has been the recent government scrutiny, related to Title IX gender equity laws, of how colleges and universities handle sexual violence and harassment complaints.
Add the new Coalition鈥檚 efforts to the discussion. The group also goes by the acronym of 鈥淪PEAK,鈥� which means Support survivors, Prevent assault, Empower bystanders, Advocate for change, and Know yourself and your rights.
鈥淲e want to cultivate a more honest and supportive campus climate for survivors of sexual assault,鈥� says Gingerich, 鈥渁nd a climate that is more proactive in preventing sexual violence.鈥�
Most incidents go unreported
Overcoming barriers to communication is the cornerstone of this student-initiated and administration-supported initiative, according to faculty sponsor and .
鈥淭he more we are aware, talk openly, and face this as a campus,鈥� says Comer, 鈥渢he healthier we become.鈥�
The group has raised awareness this month through a day of activism and a discussion on healthy sexuality in Common Grounds with the Campus Health Educators organization. They hosted a final discussion and meeting in University Commons to make plans for next year.
Two incidents of sexual assault have been reported from 2011-2013 in EMU’s most recent Campus Safety and Security Report. However, according to a 2003 study published by the international journal Criminal Justice and Behavior, 鈥渃ompleted and/or attempted rapes [among college students] were reported to law enforcement officials in less than 5 percent of cases.鈥�
Many people believe that sexual assault does not happen on a Christian campus, or are just unaware of the definition or consequences of sexual violence, says Gingerich.
鈥淚 think it’s an organization long overdue on campus,鈥� says junior Hannah Mack-Boll. Her involvement in the coalition was prompted by survivors of sexual violence in her own life, who need support. 鈥淧art of that is prevention,鈥� she said.
Graduate student Jodie Geddes, who is studying , says the coalition’s goals span from specific discussions of consent and assault to addressing 鈥渢he way we uphold human dignity in our society.鈥�
First-year Isaiah Williams was another member volunteering alongside Mack-Boll and Geddes at the coalition鈥檚 first event this month, a photo booth where students posed next to their own hand-written statements about what 鈥渃onsent is鈥� and why they 鈥渟tand with survivors.鈥�
Engaging voices
Gingerich鈥檚 motivation to start the group comes from learning about this type of trauma through her mother’s work with the in Iowa City, Iowa. Housed at the University of Iowa, the organization offers a variety of healing, support, advocacy and prevention services, including 24-hour crisis lines, support groups, and awareness campaigns.
鈥淚 just grew up hearing lots of stories鈥� about both healthy and violent forms of sexuality, says Gingerich.
When her mother asked what training and resources EMU provides, Gingerich says, 鈥渢hen it dawned on me, we really have nothing. And that’s kind of ridiculous … it lit up a fire in me.鈥�
Gingerich worked with Comer to propose a task force to and the President’s Cabinet. From this proposal, the Coalition was born as an offshoot of the Crisis Management Preparedness Team.
Goals of the coalition include engaging 鈥渁 variety of voices,鈥� says Geddes.
The group also wants to educate the campus community about how to respond to traumatized survivors 鈥� to encourage the campus community to become more 鈥渢rauma-informed,鈥� Comer says. 鈥淲e often do not take into account the trauma the experience carries. Most people do not want to talk about this, know this, or face this. We are human beings, and this is one of our challenges, even at EMU.鈥�