Demonstration highlights sexual violence

Anti-relationship violence demonstration kicks off Rape Awareness Week. Web hed: Rape Awareness Week opens with demonstration against violence

By Garrett Bergquist

Published Sept. 18, 2008

Rape awareness campaigns are nothing new at MU, but this is the first year for the "You have a voice" campaign, which encourages victims of all kinds of violence to step forward.

Representatives from several MU organizations gathered at Lowry Mall on Wednesday to demonstrate against relationship violence as the opener for the annual Rape Awareness Week.

The demonstration featured speeches by leaders of several student and university organizations encouraging the audience to get involved and speak out against sexual and relationship violence. It also showcased new posters that will be displayed around campus for the rest of the year.

Sharon Giles, coordinator of the Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention Center, said the focus of MU's anti-rape groups includes all forms of relationship violence. The group changed its name from the Rape Education Office to reflect this mission, though some of the signs in Brady Commons still read "Rape Education Office."

Giles said the group is available to help victims of stalking, date violence and other forms of harassment in addition to rape.

The U.S. Department of Justice awarded a grant to MU to support its range of resources assisting victims of relationship and sexual violence.

Speaking to the crowd, Student Health Center health educator Kim Webb said one out of every four women and one out of every six men will be sexually assaulted in their lives.

"Violence of any kind is unacceptable," said Webb, who works with the violence prevention group on awareness campaigns.

Webb said she isn't certain whether the rate of relationship violence has changed in the last few decades, but she is pleased awareness of the problem has increased and people are more willing to talk about their problems.

Webb said the "You have a voice" campaign has been in the works for about two years.

Although relationship violence at MU is not reported as often as other crimes such as theft and drunken driving, these crimes are very serious, said MU Police Officer Adam Duncan, a crime prevention instructor.

Duncan has worked with relationship violence cases since 2005. Relationship violence has a much stronger psychological impact on students than, for example, a theft, he said. Duncan said police usually find out about relationship crimes in one of two ways. Sometimes the victim comes in and reports the crime, and other times police learn of the situation from other organizations. Harassment is the most frequently reported relationship crime, he said.

Giles listed several resources for victims of relationship violence, including the MU counseling center in Parker Hall on Sixth Street, the RSVPC, MU police and The Shelter, a Boone County facility for those affected by sexual assault and domestic violence. The Student Health Center has two nurses trained to assist rape victims. The University Hospital is also available to help sexual assault survivors. People affected can report their problem online or in person.

Speaking at the gathering, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Cathy Scroggs said words can hurt just as much as actions and students should be thoughtful in their word choice.

"We are not going to tolerate violence of any kind, not on this campus," she said.