Page created by: Juliana Elizabeth Novak
Greeks Against Sexual Assault
Washington & Jefferson College represents a tight-knit community of students who feel relatively secure on campus; unfortunately, members of the college must come to terms with the realization that sexual assault is prevalent in our small oasis. In the fall of 2007, members of the Greek community came together to form Greeks Against Sexual Assault (G.A.S.A), a preliminary organization created to educate students on campus, prevent assault from occurring, and provide guidance and assistance to victims of sexual assault on campus. During the two day collaboration, members from Kappa Kappa Gamma, Pi Beta Phi, Kappa Alpha Theta, Pi Beta Phi, FIJI, and Delta Tau Delta were in attendance to provide their insight on the issue. Dean of Students, Jerry Stebbins, and Greek Life Director, Hara Henshell, led the group in guidance, yet the collaboration was largely student run. The group was educated by a guest speaker from a national organization, Sexual Trauma Treatment and Recovery Services (S.T.T.A.R.S), who provided statistics of sexual assault on college campuses and information about how to assist someone who has been sexually assaulted. As members of G.A.S.A, we concluded that problems at W&J existed in the lack of knowledge students have about what sexual assault really is, the sense of shame a person may experience from being sexually assaulted, and why a small campus creates a larger sense of secrecy in cases of sexual assault. Sexual assault does not discriminate — men, women, Greeks, independents — all demographics of students are at risk; therefore, G.A.S.A strives to create a strong presence on campus by using Greeks as a platform for information distribution and guidance.
S.T.T.A.R.S
Members of G.A.S.A were treated to a presentation by Kable Dale, a representative from Sexual Trauma Treatment and Recover Services (S.T.T.A.R.S) program. The S.T.T.A.R.S.
program offers individual counseling, significant other counseling, group counseling and play counseling for children. Kable provided a lot of interesting and informative information pertaining to a college-specific demographic. Kable spoke specifically about how alcohol education also plays an important role in the education of the community. Besides the detrimental effects of alcohol including impaired judgment, the state of Pennsylvania law proclaims that if one adult has had more than one alcoholic drink than he or she is no longer able to legally give their consent. The Pennsylvania law on consent is one of the strictest in the nation, which shows positive strides in the direction of the advocacy against sexual assault. Through Kable's presentation, members of G.A.S.A decided to provide a confidential student representative to contact in cases of sexual assault. Statistics prove that the majority of students who are sexual assaulted do not report their attack, and a student liaison would be the perfect implementation of a safe haven to turn to before taking further action. G.A.S.A plans to have members available at all times through personal, confidential contact information.
Hara Henshell, Director of Greek Life
Interview conducted on November 6, 2007 with Hara Henshell, Director of Greek Life
In the past school year, there were an increasing number of sexual assaults reported on campus. I felt the climate was changing, and that students were feeling more comfortable reporting these incidences. Dean Stebbins and I implemented Greeks Against Sexual Assault as a peer student advisory group. We sent out an email to the Greek organizations asking for volunteers to come to school early for a two day orientation. The main goal is to educate W&J students about the realistic danger there is on every college campus, and therefore, give students methods of prevention and reporting. We chose Greek life to back up this program because the Greeks are an extremely active group on campus that is well known. I felt like we could utilize them in connecting students. I'm currently working with Residence Life and Dean Stebbins on plans to present the program in each residence hall, in addition to presenting within the Greek community. The main target demographic for these programs would be first year students, since they are new to college and the education would stay with them for the next four years. I hope that this is an effective method for W&J students to come together and learn from each other and assist in helping victims of sexual assault on campus.
I Want to be Involved!
Do you want to be involved in G.A.S.A?
Go Greek! Becoming a member of the Greek community provides the opportunity to be involved in G.A.S.A and make a difference in the W&J Community.
I'm already Greek! Then contact the Director of Greek Life, Hara Henshell, and talk to your chapter about adding members to G.A.S.A. Discuss why this group is important to your sorority or fraternity, remember- one in six American women and one in 33 men are victims of sexual assault.
More Information?
Hara Henshell, Director of Greek Life
Hhenshell@washjeff.edu
Jerry Stebbins, Dean of Students
Jstebbins@washjeff.edu
SPHS C.A.R.E. CENTER S.T.T.A.R.S. Program
24-Hour, Toll-free Crisis Hotline: 1-888-480-7283
http://www.co.washington.pa.us
Greeks Against Sexual Assault
