By Marrissa Ballard | Staff Writer
In the last year, sexual assault has become a huge issue in society, from small communities to larger government policies. Places like Day One, Rhode Island’s sexual assault and trauma resource center, are working to educate and support communities dealing with these issues.
Kristy dosReis, the Director of Communications at Day One, explained Day One’s involvement in Rhode Island and on college campuses in particular. “We support and advocate for victims of sexual assault,” DosReis stated.
“We always want the victim to be in the driver’s seat,” DosReis said. “Whatever option the victim chooses, Day One’s role is to provide support and advocate for them.”
Though Rhode Island is a small state, it holds many colleges and universities that are in close contact. Day One can be found at most college fairs, where they help to raise awareness about the issue of sexual assault.
Day One is also heavily involved on college campuses. “We provide training to staff and to students,” DosReis stated. The center also provides informational sessions and training on what students or faculty should do in emergency situations.
According to DosReis, the conversation about sexual assault recently changed dramatically, when President Obama announced a federal initiative to attack sexual assault on campuses. Since that announcement, many more schools are now involved in tackling the issue. “Schools are reaching out to us, or we are reaching out to them,” She said.
Day One and college campuses are teaming up to either create or reform programs to help combat and publicize the issue of sexual assault. “We are looking to establish partnerships with colleges,” DosReis stated. As part of these partnerships, the resource center would offer training and advice to schools.
“We would serve as a checkpoint for schools to make sure that they are offering the right services,” She stated. Most campuses, according to DosReis, have resources for students in emergency situations. However, Day One is a 24-hour organization, and can also help victims through the legal process of reporting a crime.
According to dosReis, the most important thing for students to know is where they can go in an emergency. “The main thing is to make sure that these conversations are happening, and that students are not discouraged from reporting,” DosReis explained.
“All schools have to do something about it,” DosReis stated. “The stigma about the issue is going away, so more people are talking about it.”
April is National Sexual Awareness Month, and Day One has many events planned for students to join. “This year the focus is on college campuses,” DosReis stated. This month is a huge opportunity for college students to get involved, show support, and share information.
Students can also get involved with Day One by getting posters from the organization and hanging them up around campus. Students and faculty are welcome to attend sessions or training or request on campus sessions from Day One.
Another volunteer opportunity is the 24-hour Helpline. It is a large commitment, but students can become victim advocates. As a victim advocate, students would meet the victim at the hospital and help them navigate through their experience.
According to DosReis, the main reason that the Whitehouse released a statement on sexual assault on campuses is because students were reporting it and talking about it more. This year, there has been a spotlight on the issue as more and more people get involved in the conversation.
Day One’s largest event is a 5K Run/Walk, where people can show support for victims and raise awareness about the issue. “We are really targeting college students and trying to get them to participate,” DosReis said. “It is kind of a low pressure way to support the issue and spread awareness.”
The second annual 5K Run/Walk will be on April 12, 2015. It will begin at Brown University and cover most of the East Side of Providence. There will be prizes and raffles. Students are strongly encouraged to get involved, and can do so by visiting http://dayone5k.com
