For Sexual Assault Awareness Month, LBCC held a workshop on Wednesday, April 14 about understanding sexual assault, the importance of consent, and ways to support survivors of sexual assault.
Over 25 people attended the workshop hosted by LBCC Student Conduct Specialist, Sylvia Garcia.
Michaela Wiebe, a YWCA sexual assault crisis service outreach specialist, led the workshop with a presentation about understanding sexual assault.
The YWCA of Greater Los Angeles is a nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating racism and empowering women through free counseling, case management, crisis intervention, and advocacy initiatives.
Wiebe cited The U.S. Department of Health’s definition of sexual assault, which is “any type of nonconsentual sexual activity or contact”. Weibe said that sexual assault includes, but is not limited to, rape, unwanted sexual contact, and unwelcome exposure of another’s body.
The CDC’s statistics state that 1 in 3 women have experienced sexual violence during their lifetime.
Wiebe said that Black girls, Native American individuals, transgender individuals, and women with developmental disabilites are among those disproportionately impacted by sexual violence.
Weibe said Native American individuals are more likely to experience sexual violence than any other racial or ethnic group.
According to the CDC, 1 in 4 men have also been victims of sexual violence during their lifetime.
“Often times when we talk about sexual assault, it’s discussed as a women’s issue…this really doesn’t capture the reality of the problem. When we talk about sexual assault as a very binary issue, that really isolates alot of survivors,” said Wiebe.
Wiebe discussed the long term effects of sexual trauma, which include mental, psychological, and physical symptoms. Survivors of sexual assault can experience anxiety, disassociation, and chronic back and neck pains.
Wiebe talked about the importance of consent using Planned Parenthood’s acronym, “Consent is F.R.I.E.S. (Freely given, Reversible, Informed, Enthusiastic, Specific)”.
Wiebe believes the acronym allows people to understand what proper and genuine consent looks like.
“It is important to understand (consent) beyond “no means no” or “yes means yes”. At any point if you change your mind, you are completely allowed to take that back,” said Wiebe.
“It is important for us to continue to bring this awareness to the campus, not just in the month of April, but all through the year,” said Garcia.
LBCC Director of Student Conduct and Student Life Nevon Watson believes that sexual violence is an issue that must must be brought to the attention of the entire LBCC student body.
“We want to spread the word, create community and really empower students with this foundational knowledge…we stand with our students…we stand with survivors of these horrendous acts,” said Watson.
Garcia hopes that through these educational workshops, students gain the tools necessary to know how to respond to a survivor of sexual assault, whether it be themselves, a loved one, or a stranger.
“The smallest steps of just being a listener, a person of support, and an advocate is the most important part of helping someone through a sexual assault incident,” said Garcia.
LBCC has partnerships with community agencies, such as the YWCA, The Women’s Shelter, and Interval House that work to provide educational opportunities and resources for survivors of sexual assault.
For more information about sexual assault and resources, visit https://www.lbcc.edu/post/sexual-assault.