By Devyn Briones
Arts & Entertainment Editor
The College’s Anti-Violence Initiatives hosted its yearly Day to End Rape Culture event in the Brower Student Center on April 7, marking the 10th anniversary of DERC. AVI typically hosts the event in April, as it is sexual assault awareness month.
AVI consists of a collaborative team of peer educators, professional staff and student interns.
This event specifically included presentations on rape culture, violence prevention and resources.
Their work is focused in three main areas: counseling, advocacy and prevention, offering support to students who have been in difficult situations and helping inform others on what to do if they ever find themselves in one. AVI also follows a CARE philosophy, which stands for emphasizing choice, advocacy, respect and empowerment. While AVI was created to support students, they also hope their work will create a safer living and learning environment at the College.
“A bit about our prevention work, it’s accomplished through different channels, such as education programming, including tabling events, bulletin boards and workshops,” said Liam Loftus, a sophomore criminology major. “Our larger events, such as DERC and coordinated awareness month, like sexual assault awareness month, domestic violence awareness month, are just to name a couple.”
Set up as an expo-style event, each table held organizations and campus resources to inform students about their specific program and how they can help. The tables had presentations and insight on what they specifically do and what they offer. Plus, each table had goodie bags to keep an uplifted mood, along with a card holding each table. As you attend each table, a star is put on the card for prizes at the end.
Some of the organizations at the event included Counseling and Prevention Services, Student Health Services, the Office of Title IX and Sexual Misconduct, the Accessibility Resource Center, the Collegiate Recovery Community and Sexual Reproductive and Health Care.
The Counseling and Prevention Services, also known as CAPS, offers group counseling, individual counseling and referral services to the College’s undergraduate and graduate students. All services provided by CAPS are free of charge, offering a safe space for students to share as much or as little as they’d like in a group setting or one-on-one.
Student Health Services provides, promotes, supports and integrates individual healthcare, as well as clinical preventive services, treatment for illness, patient education and public health responsibilities. Through appointments, students can receive professional medical care on campus for slight colds to flu-like symptoms.
The Collegiate Recovery Community supports students seeking addiction and/or mental health recovery, advocate for wellness and create a community of safety, growth and enjoyment.
Sexual Reproductive and Health Care is strictly confidential. They include services for men and women that include birth control prescriptions, sexually transmitted infections testing and treatment, examinations and screenings. Some medications and services may require a small charge.
If you are interested in becoming involved or struggling to find a service to talk to, reach out to Michelle Lambing, the assistant director for AVI. The College has several programs and organizations to help and guide interested students. While it can be difficult to speak up, remember that the College has a team of students, educators, professional staff and professors who are always here to help.
