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Volume CXXXIII, Number 1 |
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A more Safe Space
JULEAH SWANSON
STAFF WRITER
Beginning this fall, student can now call the Safe Space hotline for support, concerns, or general questions regarding sexual assault, sexual harassment, or any other related topic. The hotline, which runs Thursday through Saturday nights 10:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. and Sunday night 10:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m., allows students to speak confidentially to a trained Safe Space member. "We know that sexual assault and harassment does occur at Bowdoin. Students call the Sexual Assault Support Services of Midcoast Maine (SASSMM) hotline and deal with problems through the dean's office with a fair amount of regularity, but Safe Space itself is contacted by very few people," states Susan Buhr '04, co-coordinator for Safe Space.
In the past years Safe Space has been infamous for advertising their services by posting contact information for current members on the doors of most campus bathroom stalls. Through her experience with Safe Space, Buhr acknowledges that in the past the bathroom lists have been relatively ineffective, "Most of the people that I have spoken with personally said that they were hesitant to call anyone from the list, because they felt it was too awkward to pick someone right off the list. We hope that an anonymous format can put people more at ease. Safe Space's goal is to aid survivors of assault, as well as just answering questions about assault or harassment. And if people are not using us as a resource, we would like to model ourselves in such a way that will make people feel comfortable to do so." The bathroom lists, however, will continue offering students a choice between calling the hotline or someone they trust and know.
In order to become a member of Safe Space, students must complete 27 hours of training through classes taught by educators from SASSMM on sexual assault and sexual harassment. Additionally, those working directly on the hotline must complete a hotline-training course. "Safe Space members are qualified to deal with people who have just been assaulted or were assaulted at some time in the past, as well as friends or relatives of someone who has been," says Buhr. "We are also very well-qualified to answer any informational questions people might have about date-rape drugs, laws, and ways of dealing with an assault." By calling the hotline, students will speak with trained Safe Space members who are available to listen, support, or even answer any informal questions students may have.
"It's really important that students feel they have a resource on campus that they can go to when they feel they need advice or help but are having doubts about discussing what has happened to someone face to face," affirms Safe Space member Mara Gandal '04. "Also, since the health center and counseling centers aren't open during the weekends at night, we can provide resources and help people who otherwise might not have anywhere to go. It's not just for people who've been assaulted at a party that evening. The hotline will give students who are dealing with past issues, things that have happened to a friend or family member, or even just short questions a place to ask these questions without any inhibitions."
The idea of a hotline began spring semester 2003 when members of Safe Space, outside students, and members of the administration including Assistant Dean of Student Affairs Mary Pat McMahon brought the idea before the Safe Space coordinators. Over the summer months Safe Space has worked closely with the administration, Residential Life, and SASSMM, in order to bring about the hotline. Commencing during the first-year orientation, the hotline offered incoming students an opportunity to call with questions regarding initial qualms about safety and college life. Initial response to the hotline has been positive. "The students I've talked to think it is a good idea, since people know that sexual harassment and sexual assault happen to Bowdoin students while here and at other times in their lives," responds Gandal.
The Safe Space hotline is available to all students Thursday through
Saturday from 10:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. and Sunday 10:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.
by calling 207-837-1692. The phone number is a local phone call, however
it is not an on-campus number, thus there is no extension for the hotline.
"Survivors of sexual assault, friends of survivors, people in a crisis
situation, and people who just have questions are all encouraged to call,"
says Buhr. If, however, a student is not comfortable speaking with a member
of Safe Space, other resources are available on campus or locally by contacting
the dean's office, counseling service, health center, or SASSMM's hotline.
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