Sexual assault
September 17, 2015
For the Record
This week, we at Goshen College have dedicated ourselves to recognize two incredibly important subjects—Sexual Violence Awareness Week and the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month. These two events both have huge implications, both globally and here on our campus. With the growing number of Latino and Hispanic heritage students at GC, the Latino Student Union certainly has a reason to celebrate and publicize pride in their diverse cultures this year, as every year. I recognize that focusing on a particular week or month in order to talk about Hispanic heritage is not sufficient on its own, but I hope that...
November 13, 2014
Team Talks Sexual Misconduct
The Sexual Misconduct Response Team (SMRT) is the center for Goshen College’s policy for handling sexual misconduct cases. This team, composed of faculty and staff, collectively responds to complaints that are filed with members of the team. “We have a pretty good team with a core of us who have worked on this for a number of years, so there’s familiarity, commitment, and history,” said Jeanne Liechty, professor of social work and a member of the team since its implementation in 2008. The team currently includes Liechty; Debra Brubaker, professor of music; Glenn Gilbert, utilities manager; Launa Rohrer, dean of...
October 30, 2014
Bonus Convo Focuses On Gender Issues
An additional convocation on gender issues will confront topics ranging from sexual assault to Goshen Dating on Monday, Nov. 3. An evening panel and discussion will follow the event that evening. “There have been a lot of unhealthy forms of discussion of these issues,” Ammon Allen-Doucot, a junior, said “We’re trying to provide an opportunity for the campus to handle it.” He mentioned a number of forums where discussion has taken place, including The Record and the infamous Yik Yak app. The event is being organized Neal Friesen, assistant director of residence life; Eva Lapp, a senior; Stefan Baumgartner, a...
October 30, 2014
Students Carrying Mattresses For Solidarity
Over 130 students with 19 mattresses stood in Schrock Plaza on Wednesday afternoon to stand in solidarity with the Carry That Weight movement’s National Day of Action. The National Day of Action began in response to Emma Sulkowicz, a senior at Colombia University, who began carrying her mattress all over campus after she filed a report against her alleged rapist. Her plan is to continue carrying the mattress until her alleged rapist is expelled. The National Day of Action is based on Sulkowicz’s thesis and is meant to be a form of solidarity. Claire Frederick, a sophomore, brought the event...
October 22, 2013
Theologian’s past affects victims and GC classes
The works of late renowned theologian and ethicist John Howard Yoder have been deemed transformative for Mennonite theology. Yet as more women who have been victimized by his sexual impropriety have come forward, the Mennonite church questions how to make amends while educators reconsider the approach to Yoder's work. "There are women that have been carrying this for years that haven't felt heard," says Regina Shands Stoltzfus, Goshen College professor of Peace, Justice, and Conflict Studies. Stoltzfus also serves on the Discernment Committee established by Mennonite Church USA. Allegations against Yoder caused him to abandon his position at the Anabaptist...
October 13, 2013
For the Record
Here are some facts*: Every two minutes, someone in the U.S. is sexually assaulted. Eighty percent of those people are under the age of 30. Fifty-four percent of those assaults are never reported to the police. And two-thirds of them are committed by people known to the victim. I can remember clotheslines of t-shirts strung at Schrock Plaza in October since my freshman year at Goshen. That first year, I ignorantly thought it was just a really cool art project. But the shirts symbolize a lot more than pieces of artwork: they’re a part of Goshen’s annual Sexual Violence Awareness...
October 6, 2013
Bringing light to a darkness
This coming weekis Sexual Violence Awareness Week. Sponsored by multiple clubs and coordinated by Jenny Beer and the Sexual Violence Prevention Coalition, this week will feature nine events to create awareness, conversation, and solidarity in regards to sexual violence. Prashansa Dickson, a second-year student and International Student Club leader, hopes people will become more involved and informed about these important issues addressed throughout the week. “I think it is important that we stand in support of raising awareness about such a prevalent problem,” Dickson said. On Sundaythe Clothesline Project will go up in Schrock Plaza, presented by the Social Work...
October 11, 2012
Sexual Violence Awareness Week raises shirts and consciousness
This week, members of the Goshen College community have come together to participate in Sexual Violence Awareness Week. The week of reflection is meant to foster awareness and conversation on campus related to issues of sexual violence. Sexual Violence Awareness Week consists of many events coordinated by different groups on campus. The Clothesline Project—represented throughout the week by hanging shirts with words from those touched by sexual violence—is organized by students in the Social Work Action Association. A Monday morning convocation by Dr. April Lidinsky addressed how images and advertising can reflect cultural values that promote sexual violence. On Tuesday...
October 26, 2011
Week-long focus on domestic and sexual violence
Many students will have noticed t-shirts hanging on clotheslines in Schrock Plaza. These shirts are part of the Clothesline Project, and they went up on Sunday to signify the start of Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness Week at Goshen College. The week featured many different events intended to raise the campus community's awareness of domestic and sexual violence. These events are taking place during October because, along with being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it is Domestic Abuse Awareness Month. All of the week's events focused on raising awareness of serious issues. Some events were very local, such as Monday’s convocation,...
October 26, 2011
Gathering prompts stories of violence, resilience
Storytelling and solidarity were equally voiced on Tuesday afternoon as more than 30 students and faculty gathered in Newcomer 17 to share stories of domestic and sexual violence against women around the world. Presenters told stories of women in Mexico, Nepal, India, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Guatemala, and Costa Rica. Though topics ranged from femicide and sex trafficking to cultural stigmas and gender bias, a common thread soon emerged: the disregard of women as a powerful, indispensable population. Chagan Sanathu described this global imbalance. “This issue isn’t unique to any one race, class, religion, or country,” Sanathu said. “It’s simply about establishing...
October 26, 2011
Campus men discuss sexual violence awareness
The men arriving at Tuesday night’s “Men’s Summit” were greeted by large stacks of pizza and many bottles of Menno Tea. While some at the gathering initially admitted to being drawn in by the food and were unsure of the event’s purpose, most of the 30 men in attendance left with positive reflections on the night. The Men’s Summit was organized in tandem with a number of other events on campus during this week of sexual assault awareness. Students Quinn Brenneke, Joshua Hertzler, Seth Martin, Joel Meyer and Alan Smith, along with Char Hochstetler, director of counseling, all worked hard...
March 17, 2011
Prosecutor charges female with felony obstruction
Elkhart County Prosecutor Curtis Hill announced on Monday that he will file felony obstruction charges on the former Goshen College student, age 19, of Elkhart, who reported that she was abducted from the college campus and sexually assaulted at Shanklin Park on Jan. 18. "During the course of the investigation, detectives became suspicious of the veracity of the reported attack due to contradictory information developed through the investigation," said Hill in a video on eTruth.com. According to an article in the Elkhart Truth, detectives found evidence that the former student was socializing with a friend in a neighboring county during the time...
February 5, 2011
Women on campus Take Back the Night after last week’s assault
The assault of a student almost two weeks ago has left the GC campus community feeling a bit different. There has been little progress on finding a suspect and students and staff may be feeling unsafe. In order to deal with the changing dynamics, new policies have been put in place, leaving students with mixed emotions. In Kratz, Miller, Yoder, Kulp, and Coffman, floor doors are remaining locked at all times. This hassle has been deemed necessary by Student Life due to the open nature of the Goshen College campus. Student Life has strongly discouraged students from walking alone, especially...
January 20, 2011
Campus responds after student assault
The recent sexual assault of a Goshen College student has forced the college to reconsider security measures on campus. The college initially responded to the attack the college requested that the Goshen Police provide extra patrols on and nearby campus. It is unknown at this point if the police patrol will be permanent, said Bill Born, vice president of Student Life. The security staff also increased and will be available to provide safety escorts at night to locations on campus. The college is still deciding about the permanence of these added security measures. “The campus isn’t forced to think about...
November 4, 2009
Sexual assault and domestic abuse recognized on campus
T-shirts fluttered in the breeze in Schrock Plaza this week, created by victims and friends of those who have suffered from sexual assault or domestic abuse. Goshen College recognized sexual assault and domestic abuse this week through the clothesline project, the annual Take Back the Night vigil, and a women-only safety awareness training. Although taken down earlier than scheduled, the clothesline project drew people to Schrock Plaza to view the variety of T-shirts hung each year, giving artistic representation to those who have encountered sexual or domestic abuse or know someone who has been affected. On Saturday, about 30 GC...