Circle of Hope Sets Up Safe And Supportive Environment at Miami

By Kexin Yue

Miami University journalism student

In less than two weeks, three sexual assaults were reported to Miami University’s police department. A 2016 campus climate survey at Miami found that a little over 43 percent of Miami students surveyed have experienced some form of unwanted sexual activity, with 21 percent saying they've been raped.

When looking at just the numbers for women, that figure jumps to a little more than 26 percent.

Sexual assault can be a hard topic to talk about, but Miami has a place designed to make survivors feel safe, comfortable, and supported.

Circle of Hope is a confidential sexual assault support program for women. In a group of no more than six, survivors talk about their experiences and work toward healing.

Dr. Jennifer Young, the Assistant Director for Outreach and Programming at the Student Counseling Service, is leading Circle of Hope for the first time this semester.

“We are accepting members right now,” Young says. “It’s just for female students, but in the future, we hope to offer a male sexual assault group as well.”

Moving Forward Together

The Student Counseling Service at Miami says group treatment works very well for sexual assault survivors because they can see they're not alone as they work to recover from their experience. Survivors often struggle with trust issues, sexual intimacy, relationships, shame, anger, sadness, or anxiety after an assault.

“There can be some laughter in group, and it can also be tears too,” Young says. “This is the chance for the women to really bond in with all different kinds of ways, joke with one another or offer a tissue.”

The weekly group meeting is held on Wednesdays from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Starting with a check-in and an ice breaker game, the group moves into a deeper discussion for about 30 to 35 minutes, which gives everybody enough time to share stories or to offer support. The session ends by reflecting on the previous discussion and possibly setting new goals for the next week.

Whitney Irwin Sims, a doctoral psychology intern, is helping Young facilitate the group. She says she wants the survivors to feel supported, but to also know it's okay to cry.

“My hope is that it will feel like a warm and supportive environment for people to able to discuss that difficult experience,” Sims says. “People cry too for similar circumstances.”

Support And Awareness

Circle of Hope is not the only place survivors can turn to for support at Miami. Women Helping Women (read an earlier Patch story about the organization) recently launched a peer-led support group for student survivors of sexual and interpersonal violence.

The group is open to students of all genders. It was initiated by Nora McVey, Women Helping Women's Campus Based Sexual and Interpersonal Violence Support Specialist.

McVey describes herself as a professional “I am on your side” person. She says she's there to make sure survivors feel supported, but group members drive the conversation.

“Since this is a peer-led support group, it’s really going to be guided by what those students need,” McVey says. "I think this group is less formal in some ways since it is peer-led, and it could be less intimidating."

Community Effort

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month in the United States. Its goal is to educate the public about sexual violence as well as ways to prevent it.

“In April, we'll probably do some programs together,” Circle of Hope facilitator Jennifer Young says of Women Helping Women and the Oxford community at large.

In the meantime, Miami is working to make sure students are aware of the resources and support available to them. There is information on what to know before coming to campus, as well as where to turn for help once students are on campus.

Several efforts, including "It's On Us" and "Step Up!," are geared toward helping students understand not only how sexual assaults happen, but what they can do to help prevent them.

Photo: Student Counseling Center where Circle of Hope is held. --Photo by Kexin Yue