Central Michigan Life

Each week, about 20 students are sexually assaulted on the campus of Central Michigan University.

We at CMU are privileged to have a very supportive administration in order to offer a variety of services to these victims, ranging from counseling to the ability to pick up a phone and call a student-run crisis line.

This crisis line is run by 35 dedicated students, known as Sexual Aggression Peer Advocates, who volunteer a great deal of time to provide confidential support to victims, friends and family of sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking, harassment, child abuse, and other forms of sexual aggression.

In addition, these students perform educational programs for all residence halls, all sports teams, most fraternities and sororities and several classes throughout campus. It is very likely most of the student population has seen at least two SAPA programs by the time they have graduated.

The most well known program done by SAPA is the “No Zebras/No Excuses” freshmen orientation program. No Zebras is an hour long program that depicts realistic scenes of sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking and harassment of events that occur at CMU and other campuses nationwide on a regular basis. It is mandatory for all incoming freshmen as part of orientation.

Typically, programs offered to all males are done by a secondary group to SAPA known as One-in-Four. The name symbolizes the number of women who will be the victim of a completed act of sexual aggression some time in her life – one out of four.

One-in-Four is a group of all males who are also Peer Advocates but focus more on educating other men on what being a good man is all about. They also work the crisis line in a backup role. A man will never answer the crisis line.

If this group sounds like something you may wish to be part of, SAPA is looking for good people to join the battle against sexual violence.

Currently, applications are available either online at www.sapa.cmich.edu or at the Dean of Students Office in the Bovee University Center.

Be warned, neither the application nor what we do is for the faint at heart. The application consists of several essay-style questions, many prying at times. It is something that will take some time to fill out but is not the most difficult application. It simply is one that takes some thought and a willingness to open yourself up.

After filling out the application and turning it into the Dean of Students’ Office or to a current SAPA, it will be reviewed by the Sexual Aggression Coordinator Steve Thompson, a CMU counselor and up to two Sexual Aggression Peer Advocates. At no time will the entire application be visible to the entire group or anyone outside of the group.

Potential members are then interviewed by the entire group and selected members are required to participate in 40 hours of training in the fall.

After training, one becomes an official SAPA. During a given month, one is “on-call” for a period of one week. During this week one must be willing to carry an extra cell phone, stay in Mt. Pleasant, and refrain from using drugs or alcohol. Females carry a cell phone that is tied to the crisis line that may ring at any time. While a week is a great time commitment, it does not stop one from leading a normal life.

If our organization sounds like it may be for you, we urge you to fill out an application and turn it in by Friday, March 4 at 12 p.m. And if you have any questions, feel free to contact us via e-mail at SAPA@CMICH.EDU.

As Gandhi once said, “We must be the change we want to see.” Please be part of the change to stop sexual aggression.

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