Start by Believing: An Awareness Campaign to Change our Response to Sexual Violence on Our Campuses

Transcription

1 Start by Believing: An Awareness Campaign to Change our Response to Sexual Violence on Our Campuses National Campus Safety Summit Las Vegas, NV Jerald Monahan, Chief of Police, Yavapai College Executive Committee, End Violence Against Women International

2 Learning Objectives Review research on positive and negative reactions to disclosures of sexual assault. Discuss the purpose of the Start by Believing public awareness campaign. Explore materials to launch a local campaign. Review preliminary evidence for impact.

3 REACTIONS TO DISCLOSURES OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE

4 Informal and Formal Support Most victims seek help from friends, family (estimates range from 58-94%) Some access formal support services Few (5-20%) report to law enforcement Less than half seek medical care or obtain a medical forensic exam (estimated 27-40%) Some use mental health services (16-60%)

5 Benefit of Formal Support Research documents benefits of formal support on victim recovery, well-being Health Care / Forensic Medicine Victim Advocacy Counseling / Therapy / Support Groups

6 Benefit of Formal Support Accessing services of one professional increases likelihood of engaging others

7 Benefit of Informal Support Documented benefits from support of family, friends, and intimate partners Emotional Support Information Help with Tangible Needs Social support increases access of other formal resources and is the key to engaging the criminal justice system and remaining engaged throughout process

8 Benefit of Support Survivors contacted an average of 2-3 informal or formal supports before reporting to law enforcement Source: Patterson, D. & Campbell, R. (2010). Why rape survivors participate in the criminal justice system. Journal of Community Psychology, 38,

9 Barriers to Disclosure Victim worried about not being believed Victim not sure the act was sexual assault Police cannot or will not be able to help Victim embarrassment Afraid to be outed as LGBT Secondary victimization by system Table 4.5, page 40, The Blueprint for University Police: Responding to Campus Sexual Assault, University of Texas, Austin Feb. 2016

10 If Robbery Report was treated like a Rape report Video

11 Risk of Disclosure Benefits only if: Victims disclose to formal or informal support providers AND These individuals respond in positive ways Both steps are fraught with risk

12 Impact of Negative Reactions If reaction is negative, this creates an additional, measurable negative impact Post traumatic stress Delayed recovery Poorer health Over and above the trauma of the sexual assault

13 Impact of Negative Reactions Inverse relationship: More negative reactions, emotional and physical health of victims deteriorates Self-blame is particularly destructive, and can be fueled by negative social reactions Level of emotional distress among victims determined in large part by self-blame

14 Impact of Negative Reactions Victims may be better off receiving no support at all than receiving reactions they consider to be hurtful. Source: Campbell, R., Ahrens, C.E., Sefl, T., Wasco, S.M., & Barnes, H.E. (2001). Social reactions to rape victims: Healing and hurtful effects on psychological and physical health outcomes. Violence and Victims, 16, (quote on p. 300).

15 Group Activity

16 Outcome of Positive Support Feeling of Reassurance about each step being taken Support by not one, but many (in room) Uplifted/Energized Support throughout entire process

17 Positive Reactions What does positive support look like? Victims in one study described: Receiving emotional support Being listened to Not being blamed Encouraged to talk about the sexual assault Not being distracted with other things Source: Filipas, H.H. & Ullman, S.E. (2001). Social reactions to sexual assault victims from various support sources. Violence and Victims, 16,

18 Positive Reactions Key is: (1) Being believed, and (2) Having someone to talk to Victims with such a response have fewer physical and psychological symptoms Source: Campbell, R., Ahrens, C.E., Sefl, T., Wasco, S.M., & Barnes, H.E. (2001). Social reactions to rape victims: Healing and hurtful effects on psychological and physical health outcomes. Violence and Victims, 16,

19 Role of Informal Support Informal support providers play absolutely critical role in victim recovery But they are typically unprepared for it Need strategies to prepare and assist them

20 PREPARING THE CAMPUS SUPPORT COMMUNITY TO RESPOND

21 Consent its like a cup of Tea VIDEO

22 Start by Believing Campaign Public awareness campaign developed by Designed to prepare friends, family members, and professionals to respond positively to a disclosure of sexual assault victimization Developed in partnership with a marketing firm, FSA Management Group Launched in April 2011 during Sexual Assault Awareness Month, at EVAWI s annual conference

23 PRELIMINARY EVIDENCE FOR IMPACT

24 COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

25 VAWA Reauthorization Act of 2013 amendments to Clery Act Implementation by institutions and disclosure of programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking, including primary prevention and awareness programs for incoming students and employees; and ongoing prevention and awareness campaigns for students and employees. U.S. Department of Education, Handbook for Campus Safety and Security reporting, page 1-1 and 1-2

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27 Arizona State University April 2014 ASU first adopts the Start by Believing Campaign. October 2015 Phoenix New Times article on ASU Sexual Assault Reporting increase signals improved awareness. Arizona Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence Executive Director Allie Bones, ASU Police were the first in the country to join the Start by Believing campaign.. (as part of the Phoenix New Times article)

28 Others join the campaign as well Iowa State University Notre Dame of Maryland University Boston University University of Vermont Eastern Washington University University of North Alabama University of Southern California Prescott College (just to name a few 64 have registered with EVAWI)

29 Kansas City, Missouri Lamar Advertising donated space on 17 billboards, to display a Start by Believing message across the metropolitan area Kansas City PD put posters in roll call rooms at all 6 patrol divisions and locations in the Special Victims Unit Other community partners engaged in additional efforts to spread the word, especially the Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault (MOCSA)

30 Kansas City, Missouri Lamar advertising donates billboard space across the state

31 Hospital Callouts Increased To the highest level in 5 years, then declined when billboards were removed Data source: Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault (MOCSA)

32 Police Reports Increased Reports of rape and forcible sodomy went up, when national reporting was down Data source: Kansas City Police Department

33 Medical Forensic Exams Increased Emergency summit in July 2011 to address the unprecedented increase in the demand for services, stakeholder interviews conducted Data source: Forensic Assessment Consultation and Treatment (FACT) Program

34 Emergency Summit Findings Multiple factors at play: Economic downturn Added new forensic examiner programs Outreach from MOCSA and examiners Several high profile cases Media interviews Increased public awareness Increase in cases with drugs / alcohol Better ways to track and document Source: Sexual Assault Emergency Summit hosted by MOCSA (November 17, 2011). By Dr. Ronda Jensen and Arden Day, University of Missouri Kansas City Institute for Human Development. Also personal communication with Melanie Austin, Program Services Coordinator for MOCSA (December 2012).

35 Emergency Summit Findings Interview respondent from KC: We weren t ready for this, we didn t see it coming. What can you do to prepare for this impact in your community?

36 Impact of Start by Believing? Certainly role of multiple factors No planned outcome evaluation Yet timing is extremely coincidental

37 San Luis Obispo, California Criminal justice and community partners launch a comprehensive, countywide campaign

38 San Luis Obispo, California Developed local brochure (Spanish and English), disseminated countywide Roadside billboard in prominent location Created Facebook site, linked from Police Dept, Sheriff s Office, Advocacy Agency County Board of Supervisors and 5 City Councils issued proclamations Media coverage (TV, radio, newspaper) Talked, talked, talked, talked

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40 San Luis Obispo, California Non-scientific survey: Seen the campaign logo or message? Where? (billboard, newspaper, radio, friend) What they thought the message meant Why they thought message was promoted How they felt about the campaign Talked about the campaign with someone?

41 Non-Scientific Survey Not representative sample, but relatively diverse by gender, age, employer, etc.

42 Survey Findings Of 227 respondents, almost 2/3 had seen the campaign message or logo Most common were Facebook, billboard, personal contact, or campus Seemed to understand and support the message, recognize why it was promoted About 2/3 discussed it with someone

43 Survey Respondent I was highly shocked when I first saw the billboard, but I know that it is something that should be discussed with everyone in the community. As someone who has been sexually assaulted, it is important for me that other people hear me and support me, and hopefully someone can come to me when they need help and support.

44 Reports to Police Increased Source: New Times, San Luis Obispo, California, February, 12, 2014

45 PREPARING SUPPORT PEOPLE TO RESPOND

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47 Start by Believing Campaign Materials created for dissemination Print materials (brochures, posters, postcards) Promotional items (mugs, t-shirts, bracelets) Spanish and English language materials Website ( Video presentation (PPT slideshow, YouTube) Social media (Facebook, Twitter)

48 Start by Believing Website

49 Start by Believing Website About the Campaign Launch Your Campaign Share Your Story Evidence for Impact Spotlight on Local Campaigns Headlines, Materials, FAQs and so much more!

50 Resources Available EVAWI offers a wealth of resources to improve criminal justice and community responses to sexual assault. SBB campaign message in communities and utilization of techniques and best practices help victims navigate the criminal justice system and increases perpetrator accountability

51 Partners

52 Make a Personal Commitment

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54 Order Campaign Materials

55 End Violence Against Women Inte

56 EVAWI Website

57 OnLine Training Institute

58 Conferences

59 Training Bulletins

60 Campaign Resources Online

61 Online Resources

62 What can YOU do to Start by Believing on your campus?

63 How will you prepare? Who will you work with? What will you do? What impact will you see?

64 And if you are encouraging victims to report what are you doing to ensure that their reports will be investigated thoroughly and their cases handled with competence and compassion?

65 NATIONAL SLIDESHOW

66 SBB slideshow VIDEO

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