Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Hello ACC! I hope you are all well and feeling healthy living your remote lives. Each day I feel a bit more like Grandpa Joe from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (doesn’t leave bed), but otherwise adjusting well. But since it is April and Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), I thought it was a great time to check in with our Associate Dean of Compliance and Equity and Deputy Title IX/Equal Opportunity Coordinator, Jennifer Husum, to share some information on ACC’s commitment to a community free from harassment and discrimination. In her role, she oversees our mental health counseling team, manage student conduct and investigate both civil rights and non-civil rights complaints from students.
Brian Bator: Hey Jennifer! Thanks for joining me today! What have you been doing to stay busy and healthy during this quarantine?
Jennifer Husum: I have definitely been staying busy, I have three kids, two of them are in elementary school, so right now I am higher ed professional, Mom, teacher, counselor, etc, all at the same time. I have been trying to keep my workout routine, which helps with keeping some sanity during this very interesting time in our lives.
BB: What can a student do if they believe they have been or someone they know has been discriminated against, harassed, or sexually assaulted?
JH: Students have the right to feel safe on campus and to be free from harassment and discrimination as part of their education. This is what Title IX is about. Title IX is a Federal Amendment that protects all of from discrimination and harassment based on gender.
If a student is concerned about possible discrimination, harassment or sexual assault connected to ACC in some way, I would like them to connect with us. I work in the Dean of Students Office and our office is there to support students with their concerns. It is our priority to end what is happening to them, prevent any recurrence and then do what we can help the student be able to continue their education at ACC and feel comfortable at ACC.
BB: What are my responsibilities as a student or member of the ACC community?
JH: As a member of the ACC Community, we all have a responsibility to each other to help support and create a community free from discrimination or harassment. We also need to be good bystanders for each other. If we see someone in a difficult situation, we should do what we can to intervene.
Bystanders can intervene in a several ways to disrupt a potentially negative situation. I like the model of the three Ds of bystander intervention – Distract, Delegate and Direct. Distract those involved, Delegate to have someone else intervene or Directly confront the situation! We can all help a potentially negative situation from getting worse.
It is also important that we get someone to any assistance that they need whether it be to get someone to counseling, to medical assistance, information on how to file a complaint or assistance with talking with the police. We can let any victim know they have options and support, through ACC and through our community.
BB: If someone reports an assault on campus, what happens and who finds out about it?
JH: We have an administrative investigative process through the college; as harassment, discrimination and sexual assault are not just concerning but they are against our student and employee codes of conduct and expectations. We can also assist the student with connecting with Campus Police or the local police, if this is something they want to do. We do not require police involvement, that is entirely up to the student.
BB: As a survivor, what resources are available?
JH: Survivors of any type of discrimination or harassment, to include sexual assault, have resources through ACC. We have no-cost, confidential mental health counseling available for all students, available now through phone or a tele-meeting. Additionally, we partner with many community resources to offer additional resources to student. We work with the Crisis Center, a local domestic violence resources and shelter; the Littleton Police Department who has a whole team of Victim Advocates and we also utilize The Blue Bench, a comprehensive community resources assisting individuals who have experienced dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking.
BB: Any last thoughts or things you would like to share?
JH: I want students to feel safe and supported at ACC – now, during this challenging time, and always, when we finally have the opportunity to connect in person again! Sexual assault awareness month is an important time to bring light to a very concerning problem in our society and world. Let us always do what we can to be there for each other.
BB: Thanks, Jennifer, for chatting with me. I’m looking forward to seeing you again in person!
Unfortunately, we had to cancel our in-person Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) events to raise awareness to our community…but, we have taken to social media to support the mission! Help show your support for SAAM and the ACC community by engaging with us online and sharing your posts on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for April’s initiatives!
Events
April 7, 2020 – Day of Action: Wear teal for SAAM Day of Action! Tag @arapahoe_cc and share how you are showing support to end sexual violence!! #SAAM #IASK #TEAL #ARAPAHOECC
Learn more.
April 29,2020 – Denim Day: Join us, as millions of people across the world will wear jeans with a purpose, support survivors, and educate themselves and others about all forms of sexual violence. Share why you wear denim with us @arapahoe_cc and #DENIMDAY #SAAM #TEAL #ARAPAHOECC
Learn more.
Resources
- ACC Sexual Misconduct webpage
- Refer a Concern
- ACC offers no-cost, mental health counseling services for students.
For appointment, call 303.797.5730 or email: acc [dot] dos [at] arapahoe [dot] edu - ACC Campus Police – 303.797.5800 or campus [dot] police [at] arapahoe [dot] edu
- The Blue Bench: Ending sexual assault through prevention and care
- 24/7 Sexual Assault Hotline: 303-322-7273 (English) 303-329-0031 (Spanish)
- Colorado Crisis Center - Exists to end domestic violence through advocacy, education, and prevention; while helping communities live free of violence.
24-Hour Crisis Line : 303-688-8484, 1-888-247-7472 (Toll-Free), info [at] thecrisiscenter [dot] org