UpDate - Vol. 15, No. 8, Page 10
October 19, 1995
SOS celebrates its 20th anniversary on UD campus

     SOS (Sexual Offense Support Services) this year is marking its
20th anniversary of serving the campus community, providing
education/awareness programs, 24-hour victim/survivor services and
support groups for sexual assault survivors.
     A trailblazer, SOS is one of the oldest such groups on an
American college campus, and the services it provides are now mandated
by law at colleges and universities.
     As part of its 20th anniversary, SOS invited all members, past
and present, to a Homecoming tailgate party.
     SOS alumni also were invited to participate in the Take Back Our
Campus march, the kick-off event of Sexual Assault Awareness Week.
     Originally an all-volunteer organization, SOS has been under the
umbrella of Student Health Services since 1977. In 1993, SOS was
formally incorporated into the overall programs of Student Health
Services. It now is coordinated by Anne Lomax, assistant director for
health education, with administrative and secretarial assistance from
Rose Simacek of the Wellspring Program.
     According to Lomax, during the past 20 years more than 550
members have joined SOS. Through its educational programs, each year
more than 2,000 students, staff and individuals in the community have
been served. The number of those using the contact service for
victims/survivors assistance also has risen significantly, Lomax said.
     Composed of students, faculty, staff and the community, both men
and women, SOS members undergo yearly training for two weekends during
Winter Session. The group meets twice a month on Sunday evenings.
     Help for victims/survivors of sexual offenses is available 24
hours a day by calling 831-2225, Lomax said. Through a beeper system,
an SOS member is available to listen to callers, answer their
questions, discuss legal alternatives and support victims during
medical exams, police interviews and legal proceedings. They also give
referrals to medical and psychological professionals. In addition,
members are available to provide information and support to family and
friends of victims.
     Programming is an important part of SOS, and the focus has
broadened from stranger rape to acquaintance/ date rape. Prevention,
gender perspectives and the role of alcohol are some of the issues
addressed by SOS programs, Lomax said. The presentations are available
to organizations, on or off the campus, including residence halls,
church groups, student organizations, civic organizations,
fraternities and sororities.
     SOS first came into being in 1976 when the late Marjorie
McKusick, who served as director of Student Health Services, the
Counseling Center and the then Office of Housing and Residence Life,
created a proposal for a group to work with rape victims in the
University community. When the plan received formal approval, SOS was
launched with two coordinators and six members.
     In 1979, men became members of the group, beginning with Paul
Ferguson, former assistant director for Student Health Services who
had responsibility for the group. Programming for men was expanded as
well.
     SOS also created one of the first date rape prevention videos,
Among Friends in 1974, working with the Harrington Theatre Arts group
on campus.
     Kim Tull, Delaware '80, who is now a teacher at the Rockford
Center, joined SOS when she was a part-time faculty member at the
University in 1991. "I felt it was important and something I could get
involved in," she said.
     Since education is her field, Tull has been mostly involved in
educational programs on and off the campus, including high schools,
talking about such topics as communication between partners, avoiding
violence and date rape. She also serves on the training committee.
     The entire membership is trained to play all roles in SOS, from
helping victims to educational programs.
     In addition, Tull said, the sessions are important for group
bonding and building, which is vital in this kind of organization.
     Another involved SOS member is Signe Clayton, Delaware '95, a
graduate student in the Master of Public Administration program. With
an undergraduate degree in family and community services, and a minor
in women's studies, Clayton said her interest in women's issues
prompted her to join SOS. She also served as a resident assistant on
campus for two years and became aware that educating students about
sexual issues and assault is an important service to the community.
     Clayton served on the 20th anniversary committee and organized
SOS participation in the Take Back Our Campus march.
     Recruitment for SOS begins in October. For information, call
Student Health Services at 831-2226.
                                                   -Sue Swyers Moncure