{"id":23980,"date":"2015-04-21T16:18:56","date_gmt":"2015-04-21T20:18:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/?p=23980"},"modified":"2016-07-19T11:09:14","modified_gmt":"2016-07-19T15:09:14","slug":"new-student-led-coalition-on-sexual-violence-prevention-wants-less-hush-hush-discussion-of-healthy-sexuality","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/2015\/new-student-led-coalition-on-sexual-violence-prevention-wants-less-hush-hush-discussion-of-healthy-sexuality\/","title":{"rendered":"New student-led Coalition on Sexual Violence Prevention wants less ‘hush-hush’ discussion of healthy sexuality"},"content":{"rendered":"

One positive step towards preventing sexual violence on college campuses is overcoming the traditional silent treatment associated with the topic. As April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month<\/a>, this spring has been the perfect time to break that silence, with the help of the newly formed Coalition on Sexual Violence Prevention<\/a> at Eastern Mennonite University.<\/p>\n

Senior Aliese Gingerich, founder of the group, says that even talking about sexual health \u201ccan be very hush-hush,\u201d especially on a Christian college campus.<\/p>\n

But that \u201chush-hush\u201d has been less so lately. In recent controversy, a Rolling Stone<\/em> article about the alleged gang rape of a female student at a University of Virginia fraternity party was recently discredited<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n

Add the new Coalition\u2019s efforts to the discussion. The group also goes by the acronym of \u201cSPEAK,\u201d which means S<\/em><\/strong>upport survivors, P<\/strong>revent assault, E<\/strong>mpower bystanders, A<\/strong>dvocate for change, and K<\/strong>now yourself and your rights<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want to cultivate a more honest and supportive campus climate for survivors of sexual assault,\u201d says Gingerich, \u201cand a climate that is more proactive in preventing sexual violence.\u201d<\/p>\n

Most incidents go unreported<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Overcoming barriers to communication is the cornerstone of this student-initiated and administration-supported initiative, according to faculty sponsor and counseling center<\/a> director Pam Comer<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe more we are aware, talk openly, and face this as a campus,\u201d says Comer, \u201cthe healthier we become.\u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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<\/em>, \u201ccompleted and\/or attempted rapes [among college students] were reported to law enforcement officials in less than 5 percent of cases.\u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"Isaiah<\/a>
Isaiah Williams (left) and Jodie Geddes volunteer at the photo booth event. (Photo by Randi B. Hagi)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cI think it’s an organization long overdue on campus,\u201d says junior Hannah Mack-Boll. Her involvement in the coalition was prompted by survivors of sexual violence in her own life, who need support. \u201cPart of that is prevention,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Graduate student Jodie Geddes, who is studying conflict transformation<\/a>, says the coalition’s goals span from specific discussions of consent and assault to addressing \u201cthe way we uphold human dignity in our society.\u201d<\/p>\n

First-year Isaiah Williams was another member volunteering alongside Mack-Boll and Geddes at the coalition\u2019s first event this month, a photo booth where students posed next to their own hand-written statements about what \u201cconsent is\u201d and why they \u201cstand with survivors.\u201d<\/p>\n

Engaging voices<\/h3>\n

Gingerich\u2019s motivation to start the group comes from learning about this type of trauma through her mother’s work with the Rape Victim Advocacy Program<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just grew up hearing lots of stories\u201d about both healthy and violent forms of sexuality, says Gingerich.<\/p>\n

When her mother asked what training and resources EMU provides, Gingerich says, \u201cthen it dawned on me, we really have nothing. And that’s kind of ridiculous … it lit up a fire in me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gingerich worked with Comer to propose a task force to Student Government Association<\/a> and the President’s Cabinet. From this proposal, the Coalition was born as an offshoot of the Crisis Management Preparedness Team.<\/p>\n

Goals of the coalition include engaging \u201ca variety of voices,\u201d says Geddes.<\/p>\n

The group also wants to educate the campus community about how to respond to traumatized survivors \u2013 to encourage the campus community to become more \u201ctrauma-informed,\u201d Comer says. \u201cWe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

One positive step towards preventing sexual violence on college campuses is overcoming the traditional silent treatment associated with the topic. 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