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!


Male Survivors of Sexual Assault

A common myth is that only women are victims of sexual assault. Men can be and are sexually assaulted, by female or male perpetrators. About 3% of American men -- a total of 2.78 million men -- have experienced an attempted or completed rape in their lifetime. (1998 statistic). 3% of boys in grades 5-8 and 5% of boys in grades 9-12 said they had been sexually abused, according to the Commonwealth Fund Survey of the Health of Adolescent Boys, 1998. These statistics are provided on the RAINN website.

Sexual assault is a crime of power and control, whether the victim is male or female. Unfortunately male survivors of sexual assault usually do not seek help due to embarassment, as their self-image and concept of masculinity is threatened by cultural messages that say "real men" cannot be raped. Others do not seek help out of fear that they will not be taken seriously.

S.O.S. has male volunteers. If you or a friend on the UD campus is a male survivor who wishes to speak to a male volunteer, call the S.O.S. hotline at 831-2226 and ask to speak to a male volunteer. Provide a first name and the phone number where you can be reached. The nurse will contact a male S.O.S. volunteer who will call you back within 15 minutes. (Of course female volunteers are also available.)

Whether you have been assaulted recently, were abused as a child, or you are a survivor seeking more general information, the information provided throughout this site applies to you too. Especially check out the page called If you are victimized.

 

For more information about sexual assault of male victims, a list of internet resources is provided below. Some of these resources provide bibliographies and/or links to even more resources.

Articles, Stories, Information for Male Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse

Male Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse

Male Survivor Issues and Resources

Male Survivor: National Organization on Male Sexual Victimization

Darkness 2 Light

National Center for Victims of Crime's page on Male Rape

 

Upcoming Events!

Sun., Feb. 19th, 6:30pm
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.
Wed., Feb. 29th, 7:00pm
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.
Sun., March. 19th, 6:30pm
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.
Wed., April 25th, at 5:30pm catch the FREE BUS to DOVER (register in advance). Doors open at 6pm, event begins at 7pm.
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.