Events Raise Awareness About Sexual Assault

Experience. Empowerment. Involvement. Prevention. These are just some of the themes that Sexual Assault Awareness Week covered on campus May 16-21.

Student Support Services Director Katie Deedrick thinks that the week's events were very successful. "We've been doing this for 11 years now, and it will only continue to get better," she said. "It's important for students to be aware of this week because the college age group is very vulnerable. A lot of dating or acquaintance rape occurs, and up to 75 percent of the time, alcohol is involved," Deedrick added.

One of the most important ways that students can protect themselves from sexual assault is to be educated about it. Various events were planned to accomplish this task.

On May 16, 17 and 20, a whistle, bell or horn was sounded to represent when a woman is raped, abused or killed because of some form of abuse.

Also on the 17th, Lori S. Robinson spoke about her book, "I Will Survive." A rape survivor herself, Robinson's book discusses sexual assault and abuse in the African-American community and how to begin healing. "It was great to see a woman of color share her experience," said grad student Holly Gibson. "Sometimes there's a stigma about 'airing your dirty laundry' when, in fact, sharing your story can be empowering," Gibson said.

A mock rape trial was held on the 17th in the honors hall. A simulated trial with WSU students as witnesses and members of the Greene County Prosecutor's Office served as the judge and the legal counsel. "The trial was a good way for Wright State students to see how it would occur and how the victim of a sexual assault can be the one who's really put on trial," Gibson said.

The Quad was decorated with T-shirts on May 18 as students designed them to recognize women affected by violence. The Clothesline Project is a national event and produced approximately 50 shirts that day.

Stormy weather didn't stop students from coming out to the Rathskellar in the Student Union to witness a benefit concert. Proceeds from the May 19 event went to the Artemis Center, a shelter for victims of domestic violence.

The bad weather did stop the Take Back the Night March, but both male and female participants engaged in discussion about personal experiences with sexual assault. The candlelight vigil was also cancelled due to the inclement conditions.

On May 20, students learned how to defend themselves against being victims of sexual assault. The week was capped off on Saturday, May 21 with a Quad event of food, games, music and prizes sponsored by A-Sisterhood.

According to the American college Health Association, a spring 2003 survey of 19, 497 college students indicated that 22.5 percent of female respondents reported some sort of sexual abuse or assault in the last school year. Those statistics ranged from 11.9 percent reporting unwanted sexual touching to 2.2 percent reporting sexual penetration.

The association also reported the data for male respondents was a total of 9.2 percent reporting some sort of sexual abuse or assault with 5.7 percent reporting unwanted sexual touching and 1.2 percent had sexual penetration.

Rape Abuse Incest National Network (RAINN) estimates that every two and a half minutes, someone in America is sexually assaulted. In many cases, the incident is never reported because the victim is afraid.

A reason why some college students don't report sexual assaults is because the victim was engaging in underage drinking while it happened. Although Wright State doesn't, some universities will hold that against the victims, therefore causing them to hesitate.

Courtney Chadwell, of community outreach for the Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance, is against this. "Policies like that are the biggest deterrent," she said. "Many times, it's not 'Look what he did to me,' it's 'This wouldn't have happened if I wasn't drinking or if I wasn't high,'" Chadwell said.

Deedrick said that a myth that many people are quick to believe is that the victim somehow deserved it. "It doesn't matter what you wear, where you're at, your age, what you look like, the time of day - there's not a set profile," she said. Deedrick advises students to be educated on the subject and aware of their surroundings.

Both Deedrick and Chadwell believe it's important for men to be involved as much as women. "We can't stop the problem unless men become part of the solution," said Chadwell. "They need to stand up and say it's wrong instead of thinking it only affects women."

If you're a victim and are having trouble coping with what happened, Counseling and Wellness Services offers free treatment to students under the WSU Student Health Insurance plan. Those who are not under the insurance plan can receive 12 sessions per academic year at no cost.

On the other side, if you know someone who has been sexually assaulted or abused, your support can help him or her through it. According to www.clotheslineproject.org, there are several things that you can do. Believe that it happened, help them explore their options, listen to them and never blame them. One thing that some might not consider is to ask before physically consoling them; physical contact might not be welcome that soon after the incident. Lastly, recognize that you're hurting with them and get yourself some help to deal with the impact.

Deedrick said that many WSU organizations should be commended for the week's success. WSU's Coalition Against Sexual Assault is comprised of the Women's Center, Student Services, Student Support Services, Counseling and Wellness Services, WSU Police, Affirmative Action, Residential Services, Judicial Services and the Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance. Sexual Assault Awareness Week will happen again in October 2005.