First year student Lily Ellis is strongly opposed to mutton chops. She enjoys long walks to the cafeteria and Alumni Grove, and her favorite phalanx is her thumb. When she isn’t in the lab working toward her Biology and Psychology majors and Chemistry minor, she can be found at the Pet Pals “no kill” shelter playing with suspiciously adorable puppies, or admiring all things cerulean blue. But there is more to Lily than just an impressive dating profile. On campus, Lily began the women’s support group, One-In-Five, this year, the first sexual assault group at Eckerd.
What prompted you to start One-In-Five?
I started the group because a friend last semester said that the only way she was going to get treatment was in a group because that was what she was most comfortable in. I had led a sexual assault group in high school, and was really surprised that Eckerd didn’t have one.
Were there any challenges to starting the group?
It was scary putting my name on fliers I passed out, and I put up 160 fliers. It was hard because I felt vulnerable since it’s such a touchy subject. I also had to get liability issues sorted out. Girls who have been sexually assaulted are 4.1 times more likely to commit suicide than normal. The Counseling Center wanted to make sure we were supporting the girls in the best way possible. Confidentiality is also an issue we had to address; we maintain the confidentiality of everyone who attends.
How has the group progressed so far?
We’re run through the Student Advocacy Committee. About 22 girls came to the initial informational meeting and we established two group times on Tuesdays and Thursdays. 20 girls showed up for actual meetings and we’ve been meeting two times a week since February. The Counseling Center really warmed up once they saw positive results.
Tell me about the “victim to survivor” concept.
“Victim to survivor” is our motto. It’s about taking control of situations and taking control of lives. [Being sexually assaulted] has a huge effect on life, and still affects who [the survivors] are. It’s about getting healed.
What are the plans for the group next year?
Next year we’re going to have a trained psychologist [at the group], and it will be more of a therapeutic group and less of a support group, which is what it turned in to this year. I’m also going to try to get a men’s group going. I’m not sure the exact times we’ll meet, but I’m going to make twice a week happen and they’ll both be evening times.
What advice would you give to girls who, for whatever reason, haven’t sought out the group yet?
Our group is a very supportive environment. I know it feels terrifying to go to a meeting; I didn’t want to go to the first meeting. If you want, I will personally hold your hand and walk you to group, I did that with seven people for the first meeting. Acknowledging that it happened and listening to other people’s stories is helpful. You don’t have to talk, we’re not going to be mad or offended if you don’t. Whatever you need, we’ll help you find. My cell number is 309-696-0955, feel free to contact me whenever you like.
On a lighter note, where is your favorite spot on campus?
The research lab. It’s where I belong. In fact, I recently helped look for a new dopamine transporter mutation in C. elegans (a genetic model organism).
If you could be stranded on an Aquaglide in Frenchmen’s Creek with anyone, who would it be?
Randy Blakely. He is a fantastic neuroscience researcher. He discovered SSRIs, which are a mechanism for a huge percentage of depression medication.