SARA Home

SARA is a volunteer peer-support network for survivors of sexual assault on the Willamette campus. We were founded in 2007 by co-presidents of Strength, Health, Equality (SHE), Ellie Holt, Jen McKenzie, Dawn Albert, and Alia Paget. Our organization is student run, but affiliated with the University and Salem community resources already in place. We seek training from Mid-Valley Women's Crisis Service and collaborate with Bishop Wellness Center, Residence Life, WEMS, and Campus Safety.

Many sexual assaults that occur on this campus are kept on the shoulders of the survivors. They suffer academically and socially. In many cases, they no longer consider Willamette a safe place. When nation-wide statistics are applied to the Willamette population, about 214 students will be forced into unwanted sexual contact during their time here. Many survivors will encounter victim-blaming from the people they turn to for help. The members of SARA believe that we cannot allow these students to be re-victimized by such attitudes or to feel fear because of our inability to support them. With this in mind, our goal is to offer...

• A network of trained volunteers to whom survivors can approach for crisis counseling in confidence.
• Information for survivors about policies and judicial process, as well as counseling and medical services available to them through the University and within Salem.
• Complete support of survivors' choices of action.
• Community advocacy and education.

 _______________

Did you know?

• In 73% of sexual assaults, the survivor knows the perpetrator
• In almost 2/3 of rapes committed, the survivor knows the rapist
• In 85% of rapes on college campuses, the survivor knows the rapist
• Only 1 out of 20 rapists will spend time in jail for their actions
• Only about 2% of reported rapes are false, the same false reporting rate as for most other crimes

^{(Data from www.rainn.org, Senate Judiciary Committee, and FBI. For more detailed information, visit www.mvwcs.com)}