As sexual assault continues to be an ongoing problem, an advisory board geared toward education and prevention continues to generate ideas and sponsor existing programs that work toward protecting both men and women against sexual assault.
Before August 2007, organizations that handle sexual assault and prevention education were scattered throughout Miami University, and the advisory board was created to unify these groups, according to Jane Goettsch, director of the Women's Center.
Nicole Hall arrived at Miami in August 2007 to coordinate the various sexual assault prevention programs and lead the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program.
She oversees an advisory board, which is made up of representatives from various departments throughout the university with knowledge and expertise in preventing sexual assault.
"I wanted to pick their brains and pull from their expertise," Hall said of her efforts to centralize Miami's resources.
The advisory board is comprised of representatives from Miami University Police Department (MUPD), Student Court, the Office of Ethics and Student Conflict Resolution, the Women's Center, Greek Life and Butler County Response and Crisis Program.
Hall said her initiatives have been a part of Miami's Campus Safety Awareness Week, Sexual Assault Awareness Month and resident assistant (RA) training. Additionally, any organization, including residence halls and sororities, may request a presentation about sexual assault prevention from Women Against Violence and Sexual Assault (WAVES), a student organization that Hall oversees.
Hall said WAVES began as a peer advocacy group, becoming an official student organization in mid-November as the female counterpart to Men Against Rape and Sexual Assault (MARS).
Hall added that WAVES will be one of the main avenues for sexual assault education.
Hall is also helping to plan an event called "Dash in Her Shoes," which will take place during Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Hall said "Dash in Her Shoes" will be a race in which men will run in high-heeled shoes in order to identify with women.
Females face a one-in-four chance of being victims of rape or attempted rape before graduation, according to Hall.
"This is a scary topic and men can do something about it," Hall said.
Hall also regularly meets with sexual assault victims in addition to heading the advisory board. Hall said victims are often confused and do not know who to turn to for guidance and assistance. She said between 90 and 95 percent of cases are never reported to any authority.
"I want them (victims) to know that I am here on campus for them and they are my priority," Hall said. "I want to show them what their options are."
Goettsch said she recognizes the organizational benefits of Hall's efforts.
"It's (the advisory board) what we really needed," Goettsch said. "For many years we had lots of offices and it's not the same as having a staff member working on the issue."
Twice each semester, the advisory board meets to bounce ideas off of each other and provide feedback on already implemented programs.
"We all know about the issue so when we put our heads together we can come up with some pretty good ideas," Goettsch said.
