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Hill is one of many sexual assault victims who have worked to put the past behind
By: Lynn Fischer
Issue date: 2/15/08 Section: News
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Hill said she was not comfortable talking about her past until she came to Central Michigan University.
During her freshman orientation, she saw a "No Zebras, No Excuses" presentation. She approached Sexual Aggression Peer Advocates afterward.
"They said that I wasn't ready and I needed to be OK with myself first," Hill said.
SAPA is a campus organization that focuses on helping students who have encountered sexual violence.
As a survivor, Hill wanted to join. She waited until her sophomore year to apply and was accepted as a member of SAPA.
The first thing Hill learned as a member was to always believe the caller. She said one out of every 1,000 calls is a lie.
"I have not had 1,000 phone calls, so I know I have never been lied to before," she said.
Hill said SAPA gave her an outlet to become more educated and become aware of how to educate others.
SAPA Adviser Stephen Thompson wants to stress the severity of sexual and domestic violence.
"It needs to be emphasized that this does occur," Thompson said. "Violence in relationships is very present."
SAPA receives more than 300 calls every school year. Only 20 to 25 of those calls are because of partner violence.
"We need to educate people because it does happen and people can help," Hill said.
Thompson said 30 out of every 100 reports are assaults from strangers. Less than 1 percent of reported assaults are from someone the victims know.
Thompson said most crimes that occur are silenced because many victims are afraid to speak up.
One out of every five relationships are violent Thompson said.
Larry Tifft, sociology, anthropology and social work professor, asks his students if they are equal in their intimate relationships.
"The first time I ever asked, no one raised their hands," he said.
Tifft said violence in relationships largely revolves around power and traditionally gender ideals get in the way: The male is more aggressive, while females are more submissive.
"You're not going to reveal your innermost thoughts if you know someone is going to use them against you," he said.
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