Counseling center treats sexual harassment daily

In part three of this four-week series about women’s issues, The Volante focuses on what it means to be sexually harassed on campus and how to handle it. 

It could happen anywhere — walking through the Muenster University Center, arriving to a morning class, working an eight-hour shift or conversing at a house party. No matter the time or place, the number of college students who have or who are experiencing sexual harassment and/or abuse is on the rise, according to a 2012 study.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports in their study, “Sexual Violence Facts at a Glance 2012,” that about 13 percent of women and 6 percent of men have admitted to having experienced sexual coercion at some point in their lives.

Reflecting this study’s findings, Lauren Schuur, coordinator of prevention services for the Student Counseling Center at the University of South Dakota, said between the eight counselors on staff, at least one of them sees a patient on a daily basis who has experienced some form of sexual harassment or assault.

“The perception here in Vermillion is people think they don’t have anything to worry about and it’s really safe, and the reality is things like sexual harassment do happen,” Schuur said.

In an effort to change Vermillion’s general “perception” of sexual harassment and abuse, Schuur has focused her efforts on an awareness group known as the “Sexual Assault Response Team,” a community-based group aimed to prevent and confront sexually-based incidents.

Currently in the process of being revitalized, Schuur said the group’s main efforts consist primarily of education.

“We’re looking at what we can do as community members of Vermillion to get the perception out there that stuff happens,” Schurr said. “(We’re also looking at) how we can respond to others as a community so people are aware that we do care.”

Schuur said the Sexual Assault Response Team is comprised of Sanford Vermillion Medical Center staff, Vermillion police officers, USD Counseling Center staff and Vermillion community members. Aside from educating the public, the team provides services, such as escorts, to victims in need.

As a student at USD, first-year Nicole Schlueter said sexual harassment is an issue both men and women can experience and the harassment occurs more often than people think.

“I don’t think people realize that they need to tell people about it when it happens,” Schlueter said.

Although efforts are underway to combat sexual harassment and abuse, William

Schweinle, assistant professor of physician assistant studies, said there is still much that needs to be done to address the issue.

“One of the frustrating things for me as a researcher is I don’t think we have effective means yet,” said Schweinle, who received his doctorate in experimental psychology. Schweinle has focused much of his research on the psychology of men who mistreat women, including wife abusers and sexual harassers.

According to Schweinle, sexual harassment has become somewhat of a norm in today’s society — a cultural normality that has driven his research endeavors.

“I would argue sexual harassment is pretty much anything of a sexual nature or gender-based nature that is going to hurt somebody,” he said.

And while defining sexual harassment may seem fairly straightforward, Schweinle said there is a lot of gray area on the subject.

“One of the problems with writing a good law is defining what’s normal,” Schweinle said. “If we write a law that says anytime someone feels harassed then they are, some people are much more sensitive than others and it gets iffy.”

All legalities aside, Schweinle said it is easy to know if one is being sexually harassed.

“If you feel like you’re being sexually harassed, then there’s a good chance you are,” he said. “…listen to your gut.”

Schweinle added that the first step in solving the problem is to confront the harasser and let them know their behavior is unwanted.

If the harassing persists, Schweinle suggests reporting the perpetrator to the authorities.

Additionally, Schurr said the Student Services Center provides intensive therapy services to students who are experiencing sexual harassment. The center also coordinates with the University Police Department to provide escorts to students who choose to seek out the service.

“We can definitely take walk-ins,” she said. “Otherwise you can call and set up a meeting.”

Despite the services available to students, fewer than 10 percent of sexual harassment victims will attempt to report their experiences to a university official, an American Association University of Women study reports.

First-year Kelsey Ruden said in general, most people tend to perceive sexual harassment as “uncomfortable commentary.”

“People need to stand up for themselves if they are being treated that way,” she said. “It gets overlooked and people brush it off.”

No matter the difficulty or uncomfortableness of the circumstance, Schweinle said people should not be afraid to take action against the ones causing them harassment.

“You have dignity. You’re a human-being. You deserve your humanity and you deserve not to be abused,” Schweinle said. “When you feel abused, ask people to stop.”