SARA is Recruiting!

EDIT 3/4/10 - We have filled all positions and recruiting is now closed. Please try again next semester!

S.A.R.A. (Sexual Assault Response Allies) is now accepting
applications for new members. We are a peer-support
network for survivors of sexual assault on Willamette's campus. We are
run by students, but affiliated with the resources already in place.
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.

We want to provide a visible and autonomous group to which survivors
can go to seek advocacy and information before formally entering the
Willamette system, if they choose to do so. We offer a 24-hour crisis
line on weekends, walk-in hours at the Women's Resource Center on
Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, and anonymous online chatting through
the IM client on our website.

Volunteers that are selected will receive support, training
through a full-day orientation, and weekly education and staff meetings on
alternate Tuesday evenings throughout the semester. Training will cover
the dynamics of oppression, responding to crisis calls, maintaining
confidentiality and providing information about all of the Willamette and
Salem resources available for survivors.

Upon completion of training, new SARAs will be asked to cover
approximately one weekend crisis-line shift and one 3-hour office
shift per month. We request that you be willing to commit at least one
full semester to active membership.

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.

If you know someone you believe would be a good ally for this program,
please recommend them.

Get your application here!

The application is due by February 1st.

Applications can be turned in either by email (to fzimmerm@willamette.edu) or campus mail (Box C 148).