S.O.S. News
WE NEED YOU!
S.O.S. is accepting applications thru October 28th and will train new volunteers over two weekends in January. Questions? Get the answers from current volunteers at our Interest Meeting on Tues 10/18 at 6pm in the Williamson Room, Perkins Student Center, or find out more on this website! If you want experience with crisis intervention & victim advocacy, skills in facilitating peer prevention programs, a unique community service opportunity, or you have career goals related to the work of S.O.S., then we are the right UD activity for you! Apply online!
University of Delaware's position on sexual assault...
For more details about UD's policy, victims' options, and answers to questions you may have, see also: www.udel.edu/sexualassault.
The University's Code of Conduct cites sexual assault as a policy violation. All violations of UD Policy are addressed by the Office of Student Conduct, which states:
Sexual Assault
- Statement of Policy
The University will not tolerate sexual assault. Sexual assault occurs when a person is physically forced, is coerced, or is physically or mentally unable to give consent; and assault may be committed by an acquaintance or a stranger. Violations will be adjudicated by the University and may be reported to the appropriate law enforcement authorities.
Sexual Assault Amnesty
The Office of Student Conduct grants Amnesty to students who may have violated the Code of Conduct’s Alcohol Policy at the same time of the incident when he or she became a victim of sexual assault. Therefore, no alcohol charges are applied to a student who reports that he or she was under the influence of alcohol at the time of a sexual assault.
- Consent
The University’s Sexual Assault Policy requires that each participant consents to each act of sexual activity. Consent is an affirmative decision to willingly engage in mutually acceptable sexual activity given by clear words or actions. It is an informed decision made freely and actively by all involved parties.
Relying solely on non-verbal communication can lead to miscommunication about one’s intent. It is important not to make assumptions. Confusion or ambiguity may arise at any time during a sexual interaction. Therefore, it is essential that each participant clarifies his or her willingness to continue at each progression of the sexual interaction.
Consent may not be inferred from silence, passivity or lack of active response alone. Furthermore, a current or previous dating or sexual relationship is not sufficient to constitute consent in every instance, and consent to one form of sexual activity does not imply consent to other forms of sexual activity. Being intoxicated does not diminish one’s responsibility to obtain consent.
Conduct will be considered “without consent” if no clear consent, verbal or non-verbal, is given. In some situations, an individual’s ability to freely consent is taken away by another person or circumstance. Examples include, but are not limited to, when an individual is incapacitated due to alcohol or other drugs, scared, physically forced, intimidated, coerced, mentally or physically impaired, passed out, beaten, threatened, isolated or confined.
The use of alcohol or drugs can limit a person’s ability to freely and clearly give consent. Alcohol and other drugs can lower inhibitions and create an atmosphere of confusion over whether or not consent has been freely and clearly given. The perspective of a reasonable person will be the basis for determining whether one should have known how the use of alcohol or drugs impacted another’s ability to give consent. Being intoxicated or impaired by drugs is never an excuse for sexual assault.
- Prohibited Activities
Specific violations of this standard include, but are not limited to:
Any uninvited, unwelcome advance, request for sexual favor, or touching or kissing of a sexual nature, where such conduct placed the victim in a position where he or she reasonably felt unable to avoid the uninvited conduct. Conduct includes, but is not limited to, rape, sodomy or oral copulation, sexual assault, or battery.
Delaware laws related to sexual assault are listed within Title 11, Chapter 5 of the Delaware Code, which is available on the State of Delaware website.
To reach the SOS Victim Advocate on duty (24 hrs/day) call 831-2226. The person who answers will take a first name and phone number and the advocate will call you back within 10 minutes.
Upcoming Events!
Project Impact: My Relationships, My World (Part One)
Trabant MPR C
Did you know as a student leader you can have a profound impact on your peers by providing support, resources, and knowledge? By modeling healthy attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors that promote respect, equality, and a culture of non-violence you are leading by example! Your influence can have a resounding impact on your peers and your relationships with them. This program will help you develop the skills you need to understand dating violence, model respect and equity, as well as provide you with resources helpful to those affected by abusive relationships. Experts in the field will provide an interactive and informative approach to help you identify ways you can make a positive difference here at UD and beyond. *Note: You do not have to attend Part One to attend Part Two. Sponsored by Wellspring: Student Wellness Program and the Prevention Subcommittee, a joint subcommittee of the Delaware Victims Rights Task Force and the Domestic Violence Task Force of Delaware. This program counts as part of the Blue Hen Leadership Program. Contact Susan Luchey to register your attendance at this program or to register for BHLP.
Film: "Miss Representation"
Trabant Theatre
A documentary by Jennifer Siebel Newsom, premiered at 2011 Sundance Film Festival and aired on Oprah Winfrey Network, looks at the under-representation of women in positions of power and influence. It exposes how American youth are being sold the concept that women and girls value lies in their youth, beauty, sexuality, and appearance rather than their intelligence. Following the film will be a speaker who will share her personal struggle with an eating disorder. Sponsored by National Eating Disorders Awareness Council, for National Eating Disorders Awareness Week and the Blue Hen Leadership Program, and co-sponsored by S.O.S. and Wellspring.
Project Impact: My Relationships, My World (Part Two)
Trabant MPR C
What message are you sending with your event flyers, Facebook events, and other marketing materials? Your publicity tells individuals more than the date, time and location of your event. Your flyers can tell a person what your organization/event stands for, values, and promotes. This program will help you understand how marketers sell certain messages through their products and how to deconstruct those messages. You will also develop the skills needed to create publicity that promotes equality, respect, and healthy relationships. *Note: You do not have to attend Part One to attend Part Two. Sponsored by Wellspring: Student Wellness Program and the Prevention Subcommittee, a joint subcommittee of the Delaware Victims Rights Task Force and the Domestic Violence Task Force of Delaware. This program counts as part of the Blue Hen Leadership Program. Contact Susan Luchey to register your attendance at this program or to register for BHLP.
21st Annual Crime Victims' Tribute with Guest Speaker Kathleen Bonistall
Bus leaves from Trabant Univ Ctr at 5:30pm. Event takes place at the Dover Sheraton, 1570 North Dupont highway, Dover, DE 19901
The 21rst Annual Crime Victims Tribute is part of Delawares recognition of National Crime Victims Rights Week, April 22-28, 2012. The Tribute honors crime victims who have died and those who continue to struggle daily with the aftermath of their own or a loved ones victimization. There are many displays such as the memorial wall filled with artwork, poems and letters written by victims, survivors and friends, and other displays in which victims are able to openly express their thoughts and feelings. Participants can bring their own letters or art pieces to add to the displays. Victims advocates throughout the state display resource materials to assist victims in their healing journey. This years speaker is Kathleen Bonistall, mother of UD student Lindsay Bonistall who was raped and murdered in her off-campus apartment in May 2005. The Bonistall family founded PEACE OUTside Campus, the Lindsay Bonistall Foundation to promote peaceful, safe living environments off-campus. Mrs. Bonistall will talk about how the crime has impacted her life and share a message of hope for all victims, survivors, advocates and law enforcement. Part of UD's Sexual Assault Awareness Month. FREE BUS provided by Student Activities & Programs will leave Trabant at 5:30pm but you must REGISTER to RIDE.