The Office of Violence Prevention (OVP) hosted their annual symposium last Wednesday to kick off Sexual Assault Awareness Month, an event designed to educate and highlight the available resources for students.
Student Outreach Coordinator Gracyn Nutt, fellow coordinator and Psychology Intern Reagan Griemsman, Bachelor of Social Work Intern Katherine Andino, Violence Intervention Peer Brooke Newland and Student Office Manager Lidiya Kelyman welcomed everyone and gave thanks before introducing Ramapo’s President, Cindy Jebb.
Jebb spoke of this year’s campaign theme, “Together we act, united we change,” saying, “the time is now.” She highlighted Ramapo’s strategic plan and how it calls on us to “promote an environment that elevates voices, examines structures of power and privilege and creates justice oriented actions and solutions.”
“It’s baked into who we are,” Jebb said. She then shared a quote from Tarana Burke, the woman who started the #MeToo movement.
“The truth is, we are all survivors of something, and the journey to healing can be long, but it is also a collective one,” Burke wrote.
“Together we gather that spirit,” Jebb said. “Throughout this month, we elevate the voices of survivors, victims and advocates. We examine the systems and structures that both prevent and facilitate sexual interpersonal violence.”
She provided vital statistics as well, noting that the Federal Bureau of Investigation reported that “sexual assault occurs every 68 seconds … over half of women and almost one in three men have experienced sexual violence involving physical contact during their lifetime…” and “32.9% of adults with intellectual disabilities have experienced sexual violence.”
“So yes, the time is now,” Jebb said. “I am honored to be part of this community and I am routinely in awe of our collective advocacy and passion.”
After Jebb finished the proclamation, Newland introduced Matthew Seymour, the New Milford councilman who inspired the event.
“I’m asked everyday how people can make more of a difference…” he said. “You are already making a difference, even without doing anything, even without saying anything, you’re making a difference because you’re here.”
In partnership with fellow councilwoman Lisa Sandhusen, Seymour formed Bergen County’s first ever and New Jersey’s largest Domestic Violence Awareness Symposium.
“The task was simple,” he said. “Let’s come together as a community to share information about where to go for help.”
Following Seymour’s moving and motivational speech regarding the “silent disease” of sexual assault, OVP invited Ramapo College graduate student Sam Viola up to the podium to share her personal story regarding sexual assault.
With bravery, Viola told the audience about what she experienced. “If this is something that you have experienced, I just wanted to let you know that your story does matter and what happened to you is not your fault,” she stated.
Assistant Director for the Center for Student Involvement & Coordinator of OVP, Marie-Danielle Attis, then shared her thanks and gave closing remarks before encouraging those in attendance to visit the tables that surrounded the room.
From the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office to the George T. Potter Library and Ramapo’s Title IX to the Student Government Association, there were a multitude of resources and educational opportunities for attendees.
“Sexual assault does not look the same…it’s not cookie cutter…it’s not black and white…” Attis said. “So we need to try to educate ourselves more, because the first thing you do when someone tells you that they were a victim of sexual violence…is believe them.”
ajones11@ramapo.edu
Featured photo by Amanda Jones
