#speakout!

[speakoutbrandeis]

Dear Abusive Ex

Today I realized something- that even though you have been approaching my friends, being friendly to them, saying hi, or even turning to them for support through this "hard" time, and even though some of them are responding and are choosing to interact with you and support you and be your friend, and even though you still have friends even after you raped me many times, you just will never ever be as happy as I am. I realized this and it was the best feeling in the world. You might not believe me but the thing is is that I know how you treated me in the relationship, making me feel like I was worth nothing. I saw how you were extremely shitty to your friends. And the thing is, is that you just can't possibly get people to love you, and I mean really love you, if you're treating people like that. I know you won't change how you treat people by the way you're refusing to take responsibility for what you did, to acknowledge what you did, and to try to change things so that you don't do it again (but by all means, do prove me wrong). So you won't have people who really love you because you treat all the people close to you like shit. But I have that. I have so many people in my life who truly love me and support me. And I am strong, and I am happy. This year has been the best year of my life- I have never been happier, and that is completely due to the fact that I have people who love me. So I just wanted to let you know, that even if you get some of my friends to take your side-to support you, you aren't doing anything. You aren't winning. You're actually losing, because I have real friends who love me who would *never* take your side (because really what decent person sides with a rapist??) and you just will never have that. I'm strong. I am happy. I am winning. You can't do anything to break me. Take all my shitty friends, have them. You will never in your life be as happy as me. So fuck you, I hope you enjoy your shitty life you rapist asshole. 

Yours Truly,

Your strong, empowered, beautiful ex

[speakoutbrandeis]

Response Sought to Faculty Committee Report on Sexual Violence

As co-chair (with Associate Provost Kim Godsoe) of the University Advisory Committee's Subcommittee on Sexual Violence, I am writing to let you know that the Provost has now posted our final report to her website under Reports: http://www.brandeis.edu/provost/guidelines/pdf/UAC_Sexual_Violence_Subcommittee_Report_2015_2_4.pdf. As a member of the Task Force on Sexual Violence, where this report will be discussed, I am eager for student responses to the report to be heard. Students have also contributed in significant ways to the discussion of sexual misconduct on campus through the B.SASV Petition Progress Report, as well through articles and editorials in The Justice and The Hoot. Please note that there are a few small discrepancies between the June report and the November addendum, because in the November addendum, we were responding to the 2014–2015 Rights and Responsibilities, which came out in September. The Task Force, comprised of faculty, staff, and students, is currently working on creating a Sexual Misconduct policy, an educational campaign for faculty and students, and a campus climate survey. Best, Bernadette Brooten, Brandeis Professor

[speakoutbrandeis]

Today my boyfriend said he was jealous of my rapist because I thought of my rapist more. 

[speakoutbrandeis]

Rani Neutill Hired as Interim Sexual Assault Services and Prevention Specialist

Via Brandeis Students Against Sexual Violence: 

Another very important announcement!  Rani Neutill was recently hired to temporarily act as Sexual Assault Services and Prevention Specialist while Sheila McMahon is away on leave this semester.  Rani is a trained rape crisis counselor and actively volunteers with the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center (BARCC) in the Community Awareness and Preventions Services program.  Rani is a CONFIDENTIAL RESOURCE and may provide support services to survivors without having to report the identity of survivors or details of survivors’ stories to any campus authorities. Conversations with her are confidential except in cases of impending harm to self or others. She will be holding office hours in Sheila McMahon's Usdan office. Her office hours: Monday: 3-5pm  Tuesday: 9:35am - 12pm Wednesday: 4-5pm Thursday: 9:35am-12pm  She is available via email at [email protected]. Members of B.SASV are working closely with Rani and are very grateful for her presence as a crisis counselor and awareness/prevention programming coordinator this semester. We recommend reaching out to Rani for support, as well as information on healing and reporting options. She seeks to support students of all races, ethnicities, sexualities, and gender identities.

[speakoutbrandeis]

Dear Brandeis,

The bravery of all those who have shared their stories through SpeakOut! Brandeis, Take Back the Night, and other avenues has helped raise awareness of the prevalence of sexual assault, violence and harassment on our campus. In response, we have witnessed many courageous individuals and student groups within our community stepping up to demand that we no longer stay silent, and calling for change.

Yesterday, Senior Vice President of Students and Enrollment Andrew Flagel released a statement recognizing the petition created by Brandeis Students Against Sexual Violence (B.SASV), as well as the ceaseless work of STAR, BCRCH (6-TALK), QRC, Trisk, and FMLA. He, on behalf of the administration, committed to comprehensively addressing each of the propositions in B.SASV’s petition and to furthering transparency in the university’s effort to combat sexual violence. Most importantly, the Brandeis Resource Guide for Sexual Assault Survivors was released. We encourage all those seeking support or reporting options to consult the guide, as well as our Medical Attention and Reporting tabs, peer counseling groups and our Sexual Assault Services and Prevention Specialist, Sheila McMahon.

SpeakOut! Brandeis would like to thank each individual who has contributed so far to shattering the silence and stigma surrounding sexual violence and the above mentioned student groups. In particular, we want to express gratitude for the members of B.SASV for prompting greater awareness and concrete action on these issues. While speaking out can often be a healing or empowering experience for survivors, that does not diminish the strength of survivors who choose not to share. The onus to enact change in our community should not fall solely on survivors and so we thank B.SASV for working to create a culture and environment that is safe for those who wish to speak out, as well as those who choose not to. Survivors in our community are being heard. It is time we act together to support those affected by sexual harassment and assault, and to change our campus culture.

We look forward to seeing VP Flagel and the administration follow through on their commitments in a timely manner. Brandeis is headed in the right direction and we are hopeful that the necessary steps will be taken to improve safety, expand our resources, and make this campus the home we know it is capable of being.

Sincerely,

SpeakOut! Brandeis

[speakoutbrandeis]

Dear Brandeis,

Exactly one month ago, we launched SpeakOut! Brandeis and received an overwhelmingly positive response from our entire community. We are deeply humbled that only four weeks later, as a response to the brave voices of survivors coming forward to share their experiences, a group of students has decided to come up with an incredible and thorough proposal to make Brandeis a safer place for all of us.

Our voices as survivors and supporters of survivors are being heard - with the courage and support of all of you, WE HAVE HELPED SHATTER THE SILENCE!

We are in awe and admiration of everyone in this community who is working tirelessly to ensure that needed and indispensable change is underway.

                         ** PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION!! **

Let's stand together and help combat sexual assault, violence and harassment on our campus!

http://www.change.org/petitions/brandeis-university-administration-call-for-stronger-sexual-assault-response-prevention-and-awareness-at-brandeis?recruiter=88794846&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=petition_invitation#share

[speakoutbrandeis]

It is so excruciatingly disempowering when you find out that this happened to someone that you love