A reminder that sexual assault is still a problem

By Megan Zehnder

Valentine's Day is more than a day to buy cards, gifts and candy for our loved ones. It is a time to remember V-Day, the movement that honors women around the world and aims to end all violence against women and girls.

Activist Eve Ensler, the creator and director of "The Vagina Monologues," started V-Day in 1998 with the intention of raising money for women and campaigning against sexual assault around the world. Today, productions of "The Vagina Monologues" serve as fundraisers for V-Day.

The American Association of University Women, AAUW, estimates that 20 to 25 percent of women will be raped during their time in college.

At Santa Clara, Every Two Minutes is a student-led group that deals with this issue. The title reflects the U.S. Department of Justice statistic that somewhere in America, a woman is raped every two minutes.

Every Two Minutes has an emphasis on "educating women around campus about sexual assault and how to deal with it, or how to help a friend if she's in need," said President Maggie Mori.

Every Two Minutes has led events during Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April and Take Back the Night, which also takes place in April. They have also contributed to Tunnel of Oppression and helped with the freshman program on sexual assault education, "Can't Thread a Moving Needle," which consisted of a play followed by facilitation groups.

Mori thinks our campus is definitely in need of education on the subject. She said that President Michael Engh, S.J., recently refused to let a production of "The Vagina Monologues" take place on campus. One of the reasons cited in his letter was that there are already a wide variety of resources on campus that confront the issue of sexual assault.

"To say there is enough on campus is bold," said Stephanie Wessels, recruitment manager for Every Two Minutes.

"There can never be enough sexual assault education, no matter what," said Mori. The more we can do, the better, she said.

Last quarter, Every Two Minutes struggled with keeping up its membership and general interest on campus, according to Mori and Wessels. In addition, the male counterpart to Every Two Minutes, One in Four, has seen a vast reduction in membership. "It's much harder to recruit that certain guy that has that character or willingness to help this kind of subject," said Mori.

The lack of interest is not because sexual assault and violence doesn't occur on campus, contend the Every Two Minutes leaders. Mori believes that the issue is sometimes avoided because it deals with such a heavy topic. Still, the more we talk about it, she says, the more we can help solve the problem.

Often times the taboo nature of these issues prevents people from getting involved and prevents victims from speaking up. The AAUW estimates that 65 percent of sexual assault attacks are unreported.

Wessels and Mori listed various resources available to women if they are a victim of sexual assault. Campus advocates, who are faculty and staff trained to support victims of sexual assault, are available to help 24 hours a day. Other resources include the counseling center, YWCA rape crisis center, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners at Valley Medical Center and campus safety.

Societal pressures often prevent women from using these resources, said Wessel. "No matter what, there is still a problem with underreporting, no matter if people know there are resources or not," she said.

Alison Bateman, a health educator at the Wellness Center, is the advisor for Every Two Minutes and One in Four. She also lists herself as an additional resource for any victims of sexual assault.

"Any student is welcome to speak with me about her or his sexual assault, possible sexual assault, harassment," said Bateman. "I refer students to the Office of Student Life to report the incident and for a follow up. The Office of Student Life provides a very valuable resource in helping students understand their options after a sexual assault or harassment."

Every Two Minutes and One in Four are always looking to recruit new members. For more information about these groups, speak to a club representative.

Contact Megan Zehnder at mzehnder@scu.edu.