Aware students provide help for victims
Matt Noonan '11
Issue date: 10/29/08 Section: News
Residents of Guest House are working to make their house a knowledgeable and protective place for students affected by rape and domestic violence.
Rape is a serious matter that faces all college students. One in four female students will be exposed to some form of rape or domestic violence. Twenty-two percent of victims are between the ages of 18 and 24.
To president of the house Vernal Bailey '09, stopping rape and domestic violence is a subject that he is very passionate about, which was why he applied to create this house for the 2008-2009 school year.
"Our goal is to basically to stop [rape] on campus. We are trying to get events out there that show it is wrong and shouldn't be done and hopefully we will reach people enough, they will think about it and realize it is wrong."
When choosing the house's residents last year, Bailey invited men and women who were not only strong student leaders, but who had been affected by rape or domestic violence in some way.
"I wanted to choose students who were affected by domestic abuse. This is a topic that you don't really hear a lot of men speaking out about and I feel very compelled to actually speak out about these issues and to basically build campus awareness," said Bailey.
Residents of the house will receive training from Sexual Assault Response Team (SART), New Hope for Women, and Safe Zone. The house will also be equipped with tools necessary to help victims and all members will have important contact information.
Ava Kahn-McQueen '10, who lives in the house, said that she and her housemates are planning to put on a variety of presentations and discussions to help the campus continue to learn about these ongoing issues.
"I think because it is such a serious issue, the best way to get people involved is to have discussions or events that are not presented with facts and photographs, " said Kahn-McQueen.
However, she feels that just spouting out numbers will not get the message across to the students, so she hopes that the events and presentations the house will put on this year will be enjoyable, as well as educational.
"I can definitely say that (the house) is a safe-space where people can feel comfortable with or if they just want to talk to us about something in the past or anything of that sort, this is definitely the safe-space we want to build" said resident Jeff Pereira '10
"We are here, available for help, we are open to anyone who would like to come and participate. We are all about spreading campus awareness and through our events if there are at least two people who see this issue is wrong and want help, and then my mission for starting this house will be fulfilled!" said Bailey.
The Students Against Rape and Domestic Violence house is located in Guest House, next to the Clark Recreational Center.
Rape is a serious matter that faces all college students. One in four female students will be exposed to some form of rape or domestic violence. Twenty-two percent of victims are between the ages of 18 and 24.
To president of the house Vernal Bailey '09, stopping rape and domestic violence is a subject that he is very passionate about, which was why he applied to create this house for the 2008-2009 school year.
"Our goal is to basically to stop [rape] on campus. We are trying to get events out there that show it is wrong and shouldn't be done and hopefully we will reach people enough, they will think about it and realize it is wrong."
When choosing the house's residents last year, Bailey invited men and women who were not only strong student leaders, but who had been affected by rape or domestic violence in some way.
"I wanted to choose students who were affected by domestic abuse. This is a topic that you don't really hear a lot of men speaking out about and I feel very compelled to actually speak out about these issues and to basically build campus awareness," said Bailey.
Residents of the house will receive training from Sexual Assault Response Team (SART), New Hope for Women, and Safe Zone. The house will also be equipped with tools necessary to help victims and all members will have important contact information.
Ava Kahn-McQueen '10, who lives in the house, said that she and her housemates are planning to put on a variety of presentations and discussions to help the campus continue to learn about these ongoing issues.
"I think because it is such a serious issue, the best way to get people involved is to have discussions or events that are not presented with facts and photographs, " said Kahn-McQueen.
However, she feels that just spouting out numbers will not get the message across to the students, so she hopes that the events and presentations the house will put on this year will be enjoyable, as well as educational.
"I can definitely say that (the house) is a safe-space where people can feel comfortable with or if they just want to talk to us about something in the past or anything of that sort, this is definitely the safe-space we want to build" said resident Jeff Pereira '10
"We are here, available for help, we are open to anyone who would like to come and participate. We are all about spreading campus awareness and through our events if there are at least two people who see this issue is wrong and want help, and then my mission for starting this house will be fulfilled!" said Bailey.
The Students Against Rape and Domestic Violence house is located in Guest House, next to the Clark Recreational Center.
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