ROSEBUD ORIGINAL VIDEO: Sexual Assault Resources On Campus

Mail Tribune (Medford, OR — Wayback)

2018-10-01

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For the last three weeks, the Judge Kavanaugh hearings have been dominating the news cycle. It all began when one woman, Christine Blasey Ford, came forward and alleged Kavanaugh had taken part in sexually assaulting her when she was 15 and the two were in high school. Since then, two other women have come forward with their own allegations against Kavanaugh. Tensions are running high in Washington as the Senate Judiciary Committee has voted 11-10 in favor of advancing Kavanaugh to the Senate floor. With the Kavanaugh hearings being broadcast all over the country, America is reminded yet again of the seriousness of sexual assault among the backdrop of the "Me Too" Movement. Sexual assault is all too real and all too present in our country, especially on our college campuses. Locally, students at Southern Oregon University are supported by the Women’s Resource Center, which offers confidential advising for survivors of sexual assault. The services offered by the SOU Women’s Resource Center allow students to seek advice, support and reporting options in a safe and non-judgmental environment. The Me Too Movement has encouraged more survivors to speak up and report instances of sexual abuse, which helps the university to be better informed and more ready to respond. “During this time when we have more people coming forward to report, that it gives institutions the ability to have a more clear picture of what may be taking place on campus and therefor can better address educational and preventative concerns,” says Angela Fleischer, assistant director of Student Support and Intervention for Confidential Advising at Southern Oregon University. The Women’s Resource Center wants the student body to feel safe and supported on campus and hopes that national stories of sexual assault survivors will inspire others to come forward. Kavanaugh has been approved to advance to the Senate floor and the full Senate is to vote this week.