Marquette University’s Center for Health Education and Promotion held its annual Sexual Violence Awareness Week last week. The theme was “Steps Towards Change,” and included events, workshops and speakers to raise awareness and promote education for sexual violence prevention and awareness.
The week began on Sunday with the “Be Part of the Picture” kick-off event.
“[The event was designed to] raise awareness and education about the issues by attempting to create the world’s largest human awareness ribbon,” said Amy Melichar, coordinator for health education and promotion on campus. “Guinness World Records has been contacted for documentation of the human ribbon.”
Melichar also stressed the resources available on campus.
“[These are helpful] for students to get the help and support they need,” Said Melichar.
One of these organizations, HAVEN, or Helping Abuse and Violence End Now, is designed to help anyone affected by sexual violence, stalking or relationship violence to create a safe and caring community on campus.
She also addressed recent reports of increased cases of sexual violence on campus.
“The increase may be because of improved educational efforts on campus, causing more people to come forward for help,” Said Melichar.
The kick-off event also included speakers to address the issue of sexual violence.
“Sexual violence is a people’s issue,” said Dr. Amelia Zurcher, professor in the English Department. “We need to help create a culture where everyone can be free.”
Zurcher also noted that 25 percent of women and eight percent of men have been assaulted or raped, and that women between the ages of 16 and 24 are four times more likely than any other age group to be assaulted. Additionally, 42 percent of victims will not tell anybody about their assault during the first year after the incident.
Another speaker, Jerry Fischer, the associate director of University Ministry, stressed the importance “that men became aware that it is also a men’s issue.” He added that “the subtle abuse which happens everyday sets a negative climate which is not the way God planned it.”
The week also included the O’Donnell Hall 72-hour Teeter-Totter Marathon that helped to raise funds and awareness about sexual violence.
“There must be a day and age where woman are treated differently,” said Ryan Grusenski, a resident assistant at O’Donnell Hall. “That day and age is now.” Grusenski also added that he “hopes that men can realize the role they play and be aware of the language they use and how woman are treated.” Grusenski also stressed that the work for the event was mostly done by residents.
The marathon lasted 72 hours straight, from Sept. 17 to Sept. 20, regardless of the time of day or the weather conditions. Over 125 O’Donnell Hall residences rode the Teeter-Totter, in addition to sending out letters raise additional funds. All proceeds from the marathon are being donated to the Task Force on Family Violence, an organization that provides support and services to people with problems related to domestic abuse. Last year, over $3,000 was raised for the Sexual Abuse Treatment Center of Milwaukee.
The Teeter-Totter Marathon is in its fourth year and was started by former O’Donnell Hall Director John Merchant. The week also featured a speech by Teri Jendusa Nicolai, who shared a story about how she was beaten with a baseball bat by her ex-husband and left for dead. Other events included informational sessions on human rights and social justice, True Life: I Have Been Sexually Assaulted, a candlelight vigil and a self-defense workshop.
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