SHAPE recognizes domestic violence awareness month
By Heather Luster Staff Writer October is recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and the University is highlighting the on-campus resources and reporting options for students through the Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention and Education (SHAPE) center. Deputy Title IX Coordinator Kianna Bauer said SHAPE is a “resource that provides more resources for students, staff, and faculty.” The resources include the “Counseling Center, Health Center, Campus Ministry, Title IX, student conduct or community standards, the police department, our office (SHAPE), and the Dean of Students office” and off-campus resources, “specifically, ‘Voices Against Violence’ in Framingham, and they have a 24/7 hotline,” Bauer said. Voices Against Violence can be reached at (508) 820-0834. Another outside resource is the National Domestic Violence Hotline - (800) 799-7233. Bauer said Domestic Violence Awareness Month is important because it “brings awareness to an issue that affects so many people, including college students. “People ages 18-34 generally experience the highest rates of intimate partner violence, and it’s a time to talk about education, prevention, and making sure people know that there are resources and support available 24/7,” she added. SHAPE has a resource library through Sharepoint that provides an easy-access page that serves as a central resource and has “a lot of different text on sexual misconduct, sexual violence in general, and we also have a page that we created called ‘What Happens When You Report,’” Bauer said, which takes students through a step-by-step of what happens when you report to each resource. According to Bauer, this resource page allows students to select the reporting option that best meets their needs. This could include texting a provider, speaking over the phone, or requesting assistance from police. “We did that to hopefully make people feel more comfortable and know what to expect to reduce the barriers of reporting,” she added. Bauer said, “There is a stigma around domestic violence and there’s often fear of people asking, ‘Well, why don’t you just leave them?’ “Leaving an abusive relationship can be the most dangerous period [of time]. Fifty-five percent of women are killed by intimate partners after leaving the first year, and the first three months after leaving is the most high-risk period for intimate partner homicide,” Bauer added. SHAPE provides a zero-judgement, “safe place on campus for students to meet” because there “can be a fear of judgment when reaching out for support,” she said. The SHAPE Sharepoint emphasizes they are dedicated to creating a “campus environment free from all forms of sexual violence and intimate partner violence,” and when “sexual harassment, sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking occur, it deeply wounds our entire community.” Bauer said, “We want people to be part of a community that is safe, and that starts with ourselves.” Domestic Violence Awareness Month allows for education about bystander intervention, warning signs to look for, and to become aware of resources that an individual, or the people around them may need. SHAPE is hosting their third annual Domestic Violence Resource Fair on Wednesday, Oct. 21 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the McCarthy Center Lobby. The resource fair will have representatives from on- and off-campus resources for students, faculty, and staff to ask questions, learn how to get involved, and become aware of available resources on campus. The resources that will be in attendance are the SHAPE team, “Voices Against Violence,” University Police, Student Conduct, SEALS Peer Health Mentors, and the Counseling Center. SHAPE’s Domestic Violence Awareness Resource Fair allows for students, faculty, and staff to see and meet all resources in person. “We feel like it is easier to make a report to somebody or to confide in somebody that you know and have met, rather than a stranger,” said Bauer. Becoming aware of available resources gives individuals the ability to “know where to turn when someone turns to you for support,” Bauer added. SHAPE highlights the importance of bystander education and learning to be aware of signs for domestic violence and sexual assault. Their motto is, “Know what matters, before it matters.” According to Bauer, if you find yourself as a bystander or you’re in a situation where jokes of domestic, or sexual, violence are occurring, “it is important to stand up” and “step in if safe to do so. “We want people to be part of a community that is safe and that starts with ourselves,” she added. The SHAPE program underscores privacy and respect of individual choice. Bauer said they are not going to ask someone to do anything they are not comfortable doing, including forcing someone to leave their partner. “It only goes as far as the person experiencing it wants to go. “It is completely up to them, and we can’t judge when they don’t feel comfortable or safe leaving,” she added. She just hopes that students know that the University truly does care about them. “As somebody who is a part of the University and works for it, I truly care about the students here, and I want to see them in healthy, happy relationships or not relationships. I want them to be OK, and I want them to know that there are people here who care and that support is available,” Bauer said. If you, or anyone you know, is experiencing domestic or intimate partner violence, you can contact on- and off-campus, confidential or non-confidential support through SHAPE, the Dean of Students Office, the Counseling Center, Title IX coordinators, University Police, Campus Ministry, Residence Life staff, the Health Center, the National Domestic Violence Hotline, Voices Against Violence in downtown Framingham, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Advocates Psychiatric, Fenway Health (LGBTQ+), or Male Survivor.
