Students against assault club interview

by: Ciaren Rounds

trigger warning: mention of the word, and references to r**e and assault.

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For context before reading this article here are some key words to define:

Sexual Harassment: behavior characterized by the making of unwelcome and inappropriate sexual remarks or physical advances in a workplace or other professional or social situation.

Assault: a physical attack.

Sexual Assault: type of sexual contact or behavior that occurs without the consent of the recipient. Sexual assault occurs when a person is forced, coerced, or manipulated into any unwanted sexual activity.

A new club, starting this upcoming fall, was interviewed by the WolfPak Press. This club is Students Against Assault, with their President: Alexandra Rimmele, Secretary: Valerie Wang, and Activities Coordinator: Michele Ross, joining in to explain what their club is about. Other board members not interviewed include Vice President: Jana Milicevic, and Treasurer: Nat Nguyen.

Alexandra says “I came up with the idea to start SAA [Students Against Assault] because I was seeing so many people tell about their sexual harassment stories at Jackson and close to nothing was being done for those in need of help. With it seeming like there wasn’t much of a support group to help students through their assaults, I wanted to start a group as a way for someone to seek help in any way needed. This club is meant to be a support system, a shoulder to lean on in need, instead of a place to investigate the story or get private details on other’s lives.”

Valerie explains that “Alexandra told me about the idea for this club and I was super interested in being a helping hand in creating and facilitating this club. I see so many people, girls being one of the most impacted, not being helped through their pain and this club is definitely a good way to give a support system for students at Jackson, while also providing proper resources for those in need.”

Explaining more about the club, Alexandra says “sexual assault is the main focus of the club, but if people come with other assault stories they can seek support, too. We just want everyone to know that they are not alone through their assaults, and being there for everyone struggling is our top priority.”

Michelle explained to our interviewer, Alex Ren, that “I want to make it known that we are there to help people of all races, sexualities, and genders.”

With this club, they do want to educate everyone on what sexual assault is and for the many who take it as a joke. The definition of sexual assault is any type of sexual contact or behavior that occurs without the consent of the recipient. Sexual assault occurs when a person is forced, coerced, or manipulated into any unwanted sexual activity. (as listed above).

Alexandra says “I want to add in that it is hard to define sexual assaults, within each story, as it may be triggering bad memories for the victim.”

With all the stigma around people thinking sexual assault is a joke, Alexandra says “that that will not be tolerated in our club, as that is very degrading for the victims to be made a joke, considering that this is something that actually happens to people and joking about it is incredibly wrong to do.”

Another big factor around their club that SAA wants to raise awareness on is to make known is ending the stigma that males aren’t victims. For all the male victims, considering there are a lot fewer stories coming out where men are the victims, you are allowed to say no, or speak up about it, most importantly that they aren’t alone through the process. They want to break the stigma, which is something they will do in the club this following year.

When asked what their plans are for next year, when they officially start their club, Alexandra says, “Plans for next year involve having the meetings on Wednesday and/or Thursday. With the meetings probably being on zoom, but who knows in the future for in-person meetings. We want to invite therapists, (if needed for anyone) to hold fundraisers to donate items needed to women’s centers or halfway houses for victims of abuse. Ms. Davis and Ms. Klinich would help with this, as they are our advisors.”

Students Against Assault handles a very serious and important topic, giving an outlet for those with traumatic incidents a place to lean on others for support/help. If you are in need of someone to talk to, this club is a perfect opportunity to not suffer in silence. If you are a victim of sexual assault, you are not alone, and you are so much more than your abuser made you feel. If you have never experienced abuse, this club is a great way to learn about what it is, what it looks like, and how you can help the people affected.