Western Oregon Journal

The silent witness exhibit was placed in the Werner Center this week to inform Western students about Sexual Assault and Child Abuse. [Click to enlarge]

[Click to enlarge]

Wooden stakes adorned with printed sexual assault statistics were present along the walkways of campus this week in recognition of Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Awareness Month.

The statistics, which were printed on teal paper, the national color of sexual assault awareness, were one of the several efforts made during the week by the Sable House to inform students about sexual assault.

Sable House, which is located in Dallas, is Polk County's domestic and sexual assault crisis center, which provides several crisis services, including a 24-hour hotline.

In addition to informing the Western campus with sexual assault awareness statistics, employees of the Sable House held an information desk in the Werner Center during the week and a balloon launch on Tuesday, April 5.

The balloon launch, according to Crystal Rodgers, Sable House family support group coordinator, was in memory of sexual assault survivors.

Survivors let off a bundle of six balloons, all the national color of teal except one, which was black, she said. The black balloon, according to Rodgers, represents a sexual assault survivor.

“One in six women is a sexual assault survivor in Oregon,” she said.

The balloon launch was done in effort to create awareness to this statistic, according to Rodgers.

Between 30 and 40 people attended the ceremony on Tuesday afternoon.

Jerry Braza, Western health professor, took his stress-management class.

“It's an issue we need to look at,” he said, “and become more aware of.”

Rodgers agrees. “Hopefully, this will all bring awareness about sexual assault,” she said, “and let people know who we [Sable House] are.”

There are things going on at campuses across the country, she said, even at a small campus such as Western.

Sexual Assault, Rodgers said, can be classified as any unwanted sexual attention or touch.

Sexual harassment can be considered any unwanted look or comment, she said. “The two are interchangeable,” she said, “and the severity of both are the same.”

The number one factor, according to Rodgers, in sexual assault cases on college campuses is alcohol.

“It plays a big role,” she said. “In college, drinking is so much a part of the atmosphere.”

The Sable House urges students to never leave drinks unattended, and to form “buddy systems” at parties.

Also, Rodgers said, what most college students aren't aware of is that an acquaintance or friend is the committer of most sexual assaults, not strangers.

Watch out for friends who may have consumed too much and have impaired judgment, the Sable House advises.

In correspondence with the national campaign, the Sable House is trying to teach people about healthy relationships this month.

“Things go on in college relationships that people aren't aware of,” Rodgers said.

Rodgers and her Sable House co-workers urge college students, including Western's, to “Build healthy, respectful relationships.”

According to them, that means touching, kissing, hugging, and sexual activity require permission.

Sometimes a girlfriend will have sex with her boyfriend because she thinks she has to, Rodgers said. “That can be considered sexual assault.”

In relationships, the national campaign says that every person has the right to say no and to change his or her mind and that permission is not gained through coaxing, pressuring, force or harassment.

Rodgers wants Western to know that the Sable House is there for women and children of sexual assault and domestic violence. In addition, she said, men can contact the Sable House and they will refer them to help.

Sable House provides five different support groups, said Rodgers, including specific groups for strictly bilingual women and one solely for children. In addition, Sable House provides a shelter for women or children fleeing from abusers and they have a 24-hour hotline.

“I would love to start a group on campus,” Rodgers said. But, she is need of volunteers.

Considering the news frenzy over recent sexual harassment issues at Western, Rodgers said, “it is an issue that needs to be addressed.”

Rodgers believes the problem is “bigger than the administration would like to let on.” But she does think the awareness that has come out in the time of late is a positive thing.

“It's great that some professors are trying to raise awareness,” she said.

Currently, the Sable House is looking for volunteers for their shelter and hotline program. The training starts April 18th at 5:30 p.m. and students are encouraged to call (503) 623-6703 for more information.

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