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!
History of S.O.S.
In 1975, when the first policy and procedure for handling suspected rape cases on campus was developed, the idea for S.O.S. was born. The late Dr. Majorie McKusick, then Director of the Health Service, was a driving force behind the idea to provide services to survivors of sexual assault. Dr. Marge Kingdon of the Counseling Center (at that time) played an important role in the development of S.O.S. training as well.
A formal plan was approved by the Vice President for Student Affairs, John Worthen, on September 15, 1976, and the Support Group for Victims of Sexual Offense (S.O.S.) went into operation. The group consisted of 2 coordinators and 6 members and was under the administrative umbrella of the Division of Student Affairs.
In 1974, S.O.S. worked with the Harrington Theatre Arts Company, the DuPont Company, and the Health Service to create one of the first date rape prevention videos entitled "Among Friends". Administrative responsibility for SOS transferred to the Health Service in February, 1977. Men became members of S.O.S. in 1979 for the first time, when Paul Ferguson joined the organization. He went on to serve as Coordinator from 1986 until 1992. Male involvement allowed S.O.S. to more successfully broaden its services and programming for men.
In 1988, SOS developed a brochure focusing on Date Rape entitled "Sex and Aggression in Relationships" which was highly utilized campus-wide at that time for prevention programming. In 1989 the group also played an instrumental role in the development and instrumentation of a survey on Gender Relationships/Campus Sexual Assault and that same year served on key committees of the President's Solutions to Sexual Violence Task Force. In the early 1990s, SOS developed a poster/table tent series entitled "Date Rape Is No Myth". Furthermore, since the early 1990s, SOS has been actively involved in the planning and presentation of the University's annual Sexual Assault Awareness Week activities, and has given presentations every semester in the IFST course Introduction to Human Sexuality until that course changed format for 2001. In 1994, S.O.S. was awarded a grant from the Delaware Women's Fund to expand its services into community high schools. 1995, SOS again shifted administrative homes. No longer housed under Health Services, SOS became more directly linked with the Center for Counseling and Student Development when Wellspring was transferred under its administration, where it remains today.
Over the years S.O.S. has been in existence, more than 540 members have shared in the work of S.O.S. The group has grown and it's emphasis has broadened from just stranger rape to date and acquaintance rape to childhood sexual abuse and to the role of alcohol and other drugs used in facilitating rape.
In the Spring of 2003, S.O.S. officially joined the Sexual Assault Network of Delaware, a fairly newly established organization sponsored by Rape Crisis CONTACT Delaware and aimed at bringing together all the various types of organizations within Delaware which work with survivors of sexual assault. The goal of SAND is to raise awareness of the problem of sexual assault, as well as to provide a better coordinated response to sexual assault within the state. In Spring 2005, S.O.S. began having representation on the Delaware Victims' Rights Task Force.
On June 3, 2005, Wellspring experienced some major changes. The name of our office changed from Wellspring Health Education to Wellspring: Student Wellness Program and the offices of Wellspring and S.O.S. have moved from where they originated in the Student Health Service to 231 South College Avenue.
On November 2, 2005, S.O.S. was presented with the Governor's Outstanding Volunteer Award as an example statewide of an outstanding volunteer group. The award was presented by Lieutenant Governor John Carney, as Governor Ruth Ann Minner was unable to be at the Governor's Banquet due to illness. 2005 was S.O.S.' 30th year providing service to survivors of sexual violence on UD's campus; receiving the Governor's Award was a sweet punctuation to the anniversary. We are very proud of each and every person who has ever served as an S.O.S. volunteer.
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 Delaware’s 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 one’s 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 year’s 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.