The month of April is recognized as Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and if you didn’t already know, our very own Andrews campus has provided some great opportunities for students to get involved in the awareness and education of this very important issue! I had the pleasure of interviewing Patricia Fitting (of the Title IX Office) and inquiring about the myriad of ways that this office is dedicated to ensuring the prevention of sexual assault and other boundary violations on campus.
What is the Title IX Office on campus, and what is your position within the office?
The Title IX office is responsible for ensuring compliance with Title IX federal regulations and responding to all complaints of possible sex discrimination, and coordinating proper responses to complaints. I am a Title IX Investigator, which means that I investigate allegations of sexual harassment, which includes sexual assault, hostile environment harassment, dating violence, quid pro quo harassment, domestic violence, and stalking.
What is Sexual Assault Awareness Month?
Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) was created to help raise awareness about sexual violence, how we can prevent it, and how to support those affected by it. While activism to bring awareness to sexual assault has been around for decades, the nation first observed SAAM in 2001. The goal of SAAM has evolved over the years from mere awareness to prevention by changing behaviors and promoting respect.
Why do you think this month is important for students to be aware of?
We need to recognize that all forms of violence including sexual violence can cause lasting harm to individuals and our community. In a tight community such as AU, we need to look out for one another and follow our Savior’s message of loving one another. As a community, we need to say that no one should be hurt this way, and that we will each do our part to protect each other. That begins with how we view each other and ourselves. When we use careless or hurtful words that demean someone based on sex or gender, or even when we hear someone else say them but do nothing, we are not living up to Christ’s call of love. That is what the BE THE ONE campaign is all about. It is a call to action about how we each, individually, can be the one to help a friend in need in any way we can. This month is a reminder of that.
What upcoming events and educational opportunities does the Title IX office have planned for SAAM?
The Title IX office has been working on awareness and prevention regarding sexual harassment through co-curricular courses this year, focusing on healthy relationships. Specifically for SAAM, a couple of courses have to do with boundary setting in a relationship and also what being in a healthy relationship looks like. There is a self-defense course offered through the Andreasen Center for Wellness. The Women’s Empowerment Association of Andrews University (WEAAU), Social Work, & Social Justice clubs are sponsoring an event of stories, presentations, and artwork confronting the realities of sexual violence, and there will also be a Solidarity Wall constructed outside of the Campus Center where students can show support for those who have been affected by sexual assault (sponsored by WEAAU and the Office of University Culture & Inclusion). Additionally, we’re hoping students will participate in Denim Day (who doesn’t love to wear their denim, right?!), which is an international day of awareness raising with the message that there is nothing anyone could ever do to deserve to experience sexual assault. All the events can be found here.
In your opinion, in what ways can students be included in the efforts of creating a safer environment on Andrews’ campus?
Students can make sure to look out for one another by stepping in when they hear or see something that goes against our “love one another” principle. Students can also educate themselves about how and why sexual violence is perpetrated and understand that we need a change in culture that says we are all worthy of respect and care and that when one of us is mistreated, it is too much. Students can know the resources that are available here on campus if they, or someone they know, have been a victim of sexual harassment. Students can come to the Title IX office located in the Student Life offices in the Campus Center for information and resources, they can also get confidential help from the Counseling and Testing Center or the Center for Faith Engagement. We want students to know that there are resources available to them, and when we all work together, we will have a safer environment on-campus.
What resources are available for students who want to remain engaged with this issue?
Students can always educate themselves with national online resources such as raain.org, nsvrc.org, and sacenter.org. They can reach out to the Title IX office, as we are making efforts to continue educating our campus regarding sexual harassment, and we would welcome student volunteers in these efforts next school year.
Any parting words?
Once again, I’ll say that it is important that we each take responsibility for caring for one another. When we treat each other with the love and respect we are called to, we won’t laugh at inappropriate jokes that degrade someone, we won’t stand by when a friend is being mistreated in a relationship, and we won’t allow a friend to mistreat their significant other. It is on all of us to “be the one” to make a difference.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.