PODCAST_001ANNIKA_01

The podcast "Sexual Assault on College Campuses" explores the importance of discussions about sexual assault and how they can help raise awareness and reduce stigma. The hosts interview Dr. Sarah Eichelberry and student leader Julia Fogelman to gain their perspectives on the topic. They discuss the need for increased education and awareness programs for all students and faculty, as well as the difficulty in reaching out to men on campus. It is emphasized that discussions about sexual assault are crucial in understanding the real impact on individuals and creating a culture of change. Sexual Assault on College Campuses is a collaborative student podcast that explores complex human questions from a variety of perspectives, opinions, and commentary are our own to do and not reflect on St. Ambrose University. Hello and welcome to this episode of Honors 100 Sexual Assault on College Campuses. My name is Annika Foyt. My name is Addison Fromm. My name is Lillian Goodenow. With the discussions about sexual assault on college campuses, we'll cover what kinds of discussions need to take place and how we can help increase dialogue and reduce stigma. This episode will take us through what sexual assault is, who it affects, and how we see a connection with our Honors 101 class. Then we have interviews with SAU faculty member Dr. Sarah Eichelberry and student leader Julia Fogelman. Uncover your mouth and say her name again. We have interviews with SAU faculty member Dr. Sarah Eichelberry and student leader Julia Fogelman with their own thoughts on this topic. Lastly, we will go over why these discussions are important. Sexual Assault on College Campuses is a collaborative student podcast that explores complex human questions from a variety of perspectives. Opinions and commentary on Sexual Assault on College Campuses is a collaborative student podcast that explores complex human questions from a variety of perspectives. Opinions and commentary are our own to do and not reflect on St. Ambrose University. Hello and welcome to this episode of Honors 100 Sexual Assault on College Campuses. My name is Annika Foyt. My name is Addison Fromm. My name is Lillian Goodenow. With the discussions about Sexual Assault on College Campuses, we'll cover what kinds of discussions need to take place and how we can help increase dialogue and reduce stigma. This episode will take us through what Sexual Assault is, who it affects, and how we see a connection with our Honors. Earlier, we were able to receive her perspective as someone who is active in discussing Sexual Assault on Campus and as a Sexual Assault advocate on campus. We asked Julia if she thinks that discussions about Sexual Assault on Campus help raise awareness for victims, and she brought up one of the big reasons that discussions need to be had, so people know that it is happening to the people closer to them than they may realize. I think she's right. We've talked about the statistic with one in four women being sexually assaulted, but even with that, there's... I think she's right. We've all heard the statistic about one in four women being sexually assaulted, but even with that large of a percentage, it's pretty easy to ignore until it's active. It'll allow us to have these dialogues and reduce stigma of Sexual Assault on Campus. Thank you again, Dr. Sarah Eichelberry and Julia Fogelman for agreeing to speak with us, and thank you for listening. We hope that you will join us in having these conversations and standing up for victims of Sexual Assault. This podcast was recorded at the studios of KALAFM, St. Ambrose University. The questions expressed are not necessarily those of KALA Radio or St. Ambrose University. A research paper done by Diane Carmody and her colleagues about Sexual Assault Advocacy and Sexual Assault Centers on Campuses stated that women in college are more likely than women not in college to be assaulted. They also said that one in four women in college are victims for sexual assault, either attempted or committed, which is so scary to think about. The same paper discussed the Sexual Assault Advocates on College Campuses felt would be helpful. They said that increased awareness and education programs that not only include incoming freshmen, but all... You just highlighted it and covered up my words. They said that increased awareness and education programs that not only include incoming freshmen, but all students, faculty, and school law enforcement would be helpful. The sentiment was also echoed by one of our interviewees, who asked for better campus-wide education for incoming students and faculty. Unfortunately, many institutions struggle to comply because there is a lack of guidance regarding the implementation of the prevention programs and the adjudication of reported cases. Honestly, it would likely be much more beneficial if these trainings were done annually and for all students and staff, rather than just new ones already being overwhelmed with information about their orientation and trainings. One thing that was found both in research and in our discussions is that it can be quite difficult to get this information to men on campus. The same paper by Newlands and O'Donohue reports that reaching out to men is incredibly important to creating a rape-free culture, but because they don't see themselves as part of the problem, they don't necessarily want to take part in the trainings or take the trainings seriously. Even Dr. Eichelberry said the same thing we spoke to her. Men don't want to be a part of the problem, but they often don't see themselves as part of the solution. Another thing that is really important to mention is that men also get assaulted. A paper by Dr. Zachary Carlisle, Hidden in Plain Sight, Men's Lived Experiences with Sexual Violence as College Students, talks in length about sexual violence experienced by men in college. There is one study done that was written about that recorded 302 men at a university and 51% of them had experienced sexual violence since they turned 16. That means that more than 150 of the men interviewed had an experience with sexual violence in the last approximately 2-6 years. This really goes to show that men need to be having these discussions, not as potential offenders but as potential victims as well. This is not an exhaustive list of all of the sexual assault and sexual violence on campus. No, I messed that up. This is not all of the information about sexual assault and sexual violence on college campuses, but it does give a good background so we can know why it is so incredibly important to have these conversations, rather than just sitting back and hoping they don't happen. Can I say first, before we start anything, one of our interviewees, Dr. Sarah Eichelberry, had a sign in her office that said, Stay sexy, don't get murdered. But not relevant at the same time. Dr. Eichelberry is a professor in the kinesiology department at St. Ambrose who has a lot of discussions about gender-based violence in her classes. We asked her how she thinks conversations about sexual assault on campuses could be beneficial and this is what she said. What Dr. E is saying is very true. There needs to be open dialogue and discussion about these topics, and they need to not be in an assembly the first week of school at 8am. Yes, it checks the box of providing the information, but it doesn't actually address it in a meaningful way. Dr. Eichelberry also told us that some of the barriers that victims face after their assault, like having to potentially see their attacker, having to find out how to get help, and just more generalizing things. Why do we as a society act like we are so understanding to the topic of sexual assault, but when it comes to the side effects, aftermath, and healing process, we as a collective are reluctant and put up with the tough act of suck it up, buttercup. We also discussed the institutional culture and how overall involvement could be increased from professors and faculty who have a big part in handling the aftermath of an assault and just the overall culture on campus. This is something that once we have heard, we realized how true it is. Changing campus culture doesn't happen overnight, but people who need to be the most involved are the people who work at the university. Professors, coaches, and other faculty and staff need to be a part of these discussions and need to be a part of the changing culture, purely because they are here longer than the students are, and students are usually gone about four years. Professors, coaches, and other faculty and staff need to be a part of these discussions and need to be a part of the changing culture, purely because we are here longer than they are. Do you want me to take it from there? Okay. Purely because they are here longer than students are, students are usually gone in about four years, so for there to be a long-term effect, it needs to start at the top. The other interview we conducted was with the Sexual Assault Awareness Team President Julia Fogelman. With Julia, we were able to receive her perspective as someone who is active in discussing sexual assault on campus and as a sexual assault advocate on campus. We asked Julia if she thinks that discussions about sexual assault on campus help raise awareness for victims, and she brought up one of the big reasons that discussions need to be had, so people know that it is happening to the people closer to them than they may realize. I think she's right. We've talked about the statistic with one in four women being sexually assaulted, but even with that large of a percentage, it's pretty easy to ignore until it's actively brought up by someone you know. I agree. And Julia actually mentioned this again later in the interview, talking about how discussions about sexual assault can be generalized or statistics. Once again, it is so, so, so important that people recognize and understand that this is an issue for real people, and that even if we ignore it, it doesn't mean it's not happening to someone right in front of us. Both of our interviewees were very helpful sources of information, and it was great to be able to speak with them, so if they hear this, thank you again. We've now heard some information about sexual violence on campus and why it is so important to talk about. It's not enough to just say, oh, well, I've never assaulted anyone, so I'm doing my part, because it is so much more than that. In order for there to be change, we have to admit that there is a problem, and to be united in combating that there is a problem as a whole. Dr. E said that it is important for there to be a dialogue about this problem, but the bigger picture is that it needs to come from the top. Student groups like SAT are doing the best they can to raise awareness and provide resources for victims, but really, this conversation needs to include faculty and people higher up in the university. For instance, how many people actually know where the Title IX office is located, or how filing a report works, much less how the investigation works and how it is handled? Also, Dr. Eickelberry said that we need to have these discussions more than once and not just at 8 a.m. the first week of school and never talk about it again. These are difficult topics to talk about. Yes. There's a question. Are these difficult topics to talk about? Yes. And that's why we should be talking about more. Firstly, to reduce stigma, but also so students at St. Ambrose can have... I can't read what the question means. Also, Dr. Eickelberry said that we need to have these discussions more often so that it's not just once talked about at 6 a.m. the first week of school and never talked about it again. It's not at 6 a.m. You're good. Slow down and just read what it says here. Okay. Also, Dr. Eickelberry said that we have to have these discussions more often and... More than once. You're good. I hate that so much. Also, Dr. Eickelberry said that we need to have these discussions more than once and not at 6 a.m. the first week of school and never talked about it again. That's an A. These are difficult... I said 8 a.m. No, you didn't. I can't do this shit. Okay. Take a breath. Slow down. You're fine. No one was getting up at 6 a.m. to go do the Teal Dot training. It was 8. You're good. Also, Dr. Eickelberry said that we need to have these discussions more than once and not at 8 a.m. the first week of school and then never talked about it again. Are these difficult discussions to talk about? Yes, and that's why we should be talking about them more often. Firstly, to reduce stigma, but also so that students at St. Ambrose know what to do if something happens, how to support any friends, and hopefully they can create a culture on campus that is comfortable with having these discussions and comfortable having a solid front against sexual assault and interpersonal violence as a whole. As a whole, we need to be more open about the reality of sexual violence on college campuses, and we need to acknowledge and show that while it is happening, we don't stand for it. Having a united front against violence and the willingness to have these discussions is what will allow us to have these dialogues and reduce stigma of sexual assault on campus. Thank you again, Dr. Sarah Eickelberry and Julia Fogelman for agreeing to speak with us, and thank you for listening. We hope that you will join us in having these conversations and standing up for victims of sexual assault. This podcast was recorded at the studios of KALAFM, St. Ambrose University. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of KALA Radio or St. Ambrose University.