Did you know that every two minutes someone is sexually assaulted? According to RAINN (the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network) one out of every six women in the USA will be a victim of sexual assault. Those who have been victims of sexual assault are three times more likely to suffer from depression, six times more likely to suffer from PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), thirteen times more likely to abuse alcohol, twenty six times more likely to abuse drugs, and four times more likely to contemplate suicide. That’s a whole lot of people, who need a whole lot of love and support.
What about relationship problems? How many times do you overhear people arguing with their friends or colleagues? How many people do you see who are frustrated with their parents, their siblings, or even themselves? Typically, when we hear the word “relationship,” we jump to thoughts of a romantic or intimate connection, typically seen by someone and their significant other. However, the dictionary defines a relationship as “a connection, association, or involvement; an emotional or other connection between people.” You have a relationship with every single person you run into in your life. So how do we keep all those relationships healthy, and what happens when they become very unhealthy?
Dr. Edith Fisher, of the Behavioral Science Department, is a well-known professor here at RWC. She is also the facilitator for two new support groups here on campus. One of the groups is for sexual assault survivors and the other is for individuals struggling with relationship problems.
Those are not the only people welcome in the groups, though. If you are curious and would like to learn more about how to help victims of sexual assault, or if you would like to learn how to strengthen a relationship, you are welcome to attend one of the meetings.
Also, Dr. Fisher says that the groups are not just for students. They are here for and open to anyone, including faculty, staff, and administration.
There is a third group in the works as well, called United Sexualities. Just like the aforementioned groups, United Sexualities is open to anyone. It focuses on building bonds between the heterosexual and GLBTQ (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, questioning) communities that exist within this school.
The Behavioral Science Department, along with Shelia Yates-Mattingly (Director of Student Life), and Assistant Dean of Student Services Pamela Lineback, has been entirely supportive of the founding of these groups, according to Fisher.
Fisher said she would especially like to give them credit as they have been phenomenally understanding and accommodating when it comes to seeing the need for groups like these. She also wants to thank Raymond Walters College for giving her the opportunity to help people on a daily basis.
Dr. Fisher says that confidentiality, respect, and support are three of the ideals she hopes people will take away from the groups. The sexual assault support group meets every Friday from 12:30-2 p.m. and the group for individuals with relationship difficulties meets every Friday from 2:30-4 p.m. Both groups meet in Room 207 in Muntz Hall. The next meetings for these groups will be Friday, December 4.
The United Sexualities group is still in the works but is currently looking for officers and founding members. All meetings are free and confidential and could certainly use all the support they can get.
If you are in need of assistance or someone to talk to, Dr. Fisher would be more than willing to meet with you or talk with you via phone or email. Her office is in Muntz Hall, Room 301 and her office hours are every Tuesday from 3:30 -6 p.m.
You can email her at edith.fisher@uc.edu or call 269-352-4666.