Spring Break
Student leaders gather for first sexual violence summit
Aditi Dubey
Issue date: 4/27/07 Section: News
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Editor's note: this is part one of a four part series on sexual violence and abuse.
Would you know what to do if one of your friends was a victim of sexual assault? Probably not, but some students took the time to find out.
Student leaders from seven universities and over 25 organizations came together April 21 for the first Student Summit on Sexual Violence, hosted by Violence Information and Education for Women.
Student delegates from the University represented Residential Living Office, Undergraduate Student Government Association, VIEW, One in Four, Foundation of Undergraduates for Sexual Equality, Phi Eta Sigma and Women's Soccer team etc.
One of the main issues discussed of the summit was the prevalence sexual assault, stalking and dating violence on college campuses. Another aspect was interactive workshops educating students on issues faced by Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer community.
According to VIEW, approximately one in five female students report being physically or sexually abused by a dating partner and more than seventy percent of female students reported that they had experienced one or more incidents of unwanted sexual activity. None of the students reported the incident. Some only told a friend.
According to Connie Steel, assistant to the director in the International Area Studies modern languages department, this is mostly because students fear isolation due to the stigma associated with such issues.
"At Drexel, we are trying to fight the stigma through education and awareness about resources for survivors," Steel said. "There are student groups which do a lot of outreach work to fellow students on these issues."
Steel further elaborated on the resources available at Drexel for victims of sexual violence. There are student organizations like VIEW and 1-in-4. This year, new students in the College of Arts and Sciences were given a presentation about campus resources for sexual assault, dating violence and stalking as part of University 101.
Would you know what to do if one of your friends was a victim of sexual assault? Probably not, but some students took the time to find out.
Student leaders from seven universities and over 25 organizations came together April 21 for the first Student Summit on Sexual Violence, hosted by Violence Information and Education for Women.
Student delegates from the University represented Residential Living Office, Undergraduate Student Government Association, VIEW, One in Four, Foundation of Undergraduates for Sexual Equality, Phi Eta Sigma and Women's Soccer team etc.
One of the main issues discussed of the summit was the prevalence sexual assault, stalking and dating violence on college campuses. Another aspect was interactive workshops educating students on issues faced by Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer community.
According to VIEW, approximately one in five female students report being physically or sexually abused by a dating partner and more than seventy percent of female students reported that they had experienced one or more incidents of unwanted sexual activity. None of the students reported the incident. Some only told a friend.
According to Connie Steel, assistant to the director in the International Area Studies modern languages department, this is mostly because students fear isolation due to the stigma associated with such issues.
"At Drexel, we are trying to fight the stigma through education and awareness about resources for survivors," Steel said. "There are student groups which do a lot of outreach work to fellow students on these issues."
Steel further elaborated on the resources available at Drexel for victims of sexual violence. There are student organizations like VIEW and 1-in-4. This year, new students in the College of Arts and Sciences were given a presentation about campus resources for sexual assault, dating violence and stalking as part of University 101.
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