Since Emory has seen a recent increase in reported rapes on campus, many have wondered does this mean more rapes are occurring? Is campus safe? Meet junior Leah Regenbaum, ’14, president of the Alliance for Sexual Assault Prevention (ASAP), a group whose mission is to educate the community on sexual violence. Leah is here to discuss her role in ASAP and the impact it has had on Emory’s campus. April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month so be on the lookout for ASAP’s events on campus!
Her Campus Emory (HCE): How did you become involved in ASAP?
Leah Regenbaum (LR): In high school I was a founding member of a program called Relationships and Decisions, where I taught other middle and high-school students about teen relationship abuse, healthy relationships, gender stereotypes, and self-esteem. I was looking to get involved with something similar in college and found the Alliance for Sexual Assault Prevention!
HCE: What impact has ASAP had on Emory’s community?
LR: Interest from the community as a whole has expanded. I was a co-chair of our annual Take Back the Night Speak Out Rally last semester, which over 250 people attended! Anonymous stories of experiences with rape and sexual assault were submitted and read to the audience, and other stories that were courageously presented by the survivors themselves. This semester, over twenty-five people attended our first meeting. People are talking about an extremely stigmatized issue, and incident reports are increasing because survivors are becoming comfortable enough to acknowledge and discuss what has happened to them.
HCE: What are some tips for sexual assault prevention?
LR: Our main focus is bystander intervention. As members of the Emory community, we are all responsible for one another. If something doesn’t look right, intervene. You don’t have to give someone a lecture about sexual assault and rape culture, you simply have to diffuse the situation and remove the person from the danger you’re sensing. Encourage your friends to step up and say something if someone is intoxicated and cannot judge and/or speak for him or herself. If you find yourself in a questionable situation, trust your gut. When something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t!
HCE: What contributed to the increase in reports of sexual assault at Emory?
LR: Resources such as the Respect Program, ASAP, and SAPA have allowed survivors to find the support they are looking for. Lauren Bernstein, who is ASAP’s adviser and Assistant Director of the Respect Program, has contributed to the increase in reporting. Not only is she fun and friendly, but she is so knowledgeable and supportive that survivors have felt comfortable enough to come forward. What some community members don’t understand is that this increase in reporting is extremely positive. Emory does not have a “rape problem;” rather, survivors are becoming comfortable enough to acknowledge and discuss what has happened to them. Safer spaces are being created across campus, and we hope that increasing awareness of this issue will eliminate sexual assault from this campus for good.
HCE: Are there any events sponsored by ASAP that we should look forward to this semester?
LR: ASAP is currently doing a Matchmaker fundraiser where students can fill out a free survey, and we send your answers to a company that sends us back your results with your top 50 most compatible matches at Emory. You can buy your results for $1 and find your true love (or just a formal date!) Surveys are available at Wonderful Wednesdays. We are also bringing artist Jessica Caldas to speak during Social Justice Week about her artwork and its ties to sexual violence and domestic abuse. Finally, the month of April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, so keep a look out for several more exciting events!