Resources available for students who face sexual assault
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
And in light of this event, we, a group of students in COM 353: Small Group Communication, want to educate the community at Central Michigan University about the dangers of sexual assault.
Sexual assault occurs when acts that are sexual or indecent are demonstrated toward another person.
These acts may be accompanied by actual or threatened physical force and may induce fear, shame or mental suffering in survivors.
It occurs when a person touches any part of another person’s body in an unwanted way even over clothes.
Many times, survivors experience physical reactions such as pain from injuries, nausea or vomiting.
They also may face emotional or psychological effects such as depression, nightmares and guilt or loss of self-esteem.
Attackers can be strangers, acquaintances, friends or family members.
There is no exact reason why these crimes are committed, but attackers often use them as forms of violence, coercion, threats or manipulation.
Absolutely no one deserves or asks to be sexually assaulted.
Resources available in the Mount Pleasant area include our on-campus student organization SAPA (Sexual Aggression Peer Advocates) and Women’s Aid Service of Isabella County.
SAPA is a volunteer student-operated organization which offers a 24-hour confidential crisis line (at 989-774-CALL), along with online chat available three nights a week.
Women’s Aid Service is a nonprofit organization that offers crisis intervention services 24 hours a day.
Because issues of sexual assault cross all racial, social, educational and economical boundaries, they strive to stop the cycle of abuse by providing assistance to all survivors.
They also have a crisis line which, in Isabella County, is 989-772-9168.
If you or someone you know have or are experiencing issues in this area, please do not hesitate to contact either organization.
Or for more information, visit: SAPA: cmich.edu/SAPA, or Women’s Aid Service: womens-aid.org.
Information was gathered from the National Center for Victims of Crime at NCVC.org, and the Web sites of SAPA and Women’s Aid Service.
Students from COM 353: Small Group Communication
