Discussion List for campus-based and allied personnel working to end gender-based violence on campus.

["Jodi Caldwell" <>]

I just wanted to piggy back on some of the comments about Sex Signals.  I 
recognize that some folks find the language of the program to "offend" some 
students.  However, what I have found is that it seems to be the language 
that helps the students to connect with the program and feel as though it is 
relevant to them!  As far as I can tell, aside from John Foubert's One in 
Four program, Sex Signals has been one of the most research driven programs 
out there.  Gail & Christian's extensive research into college students' 
perceptions of rape, and the types of information they respond to, etc led to 
the development and writing of the program.  Certainly, SEX SIGNALS is not a 
comprehensive, academic look at the realities of sexual assault.  But 
frankly, our freshman students are turned off by those types of 
presentations.  At Georgia Southern, we have been bringing in Sex Signals for 
6 years now.  They present multiple presentations every fall and the program 
is a mandated component to our University Orientation course.  Perhaps what 
needs to be considered is the goal one is trying to accomplish with any given 
programming.  During the first few weeks of the fall semester, we are trying 
to convey to students, who despite their worldliness are often naive about 
date rape - the crucial facts that they need to reduce their risk.  Bottom 
line is - SEX SIGNALS does this.  I know it does this because we do immediate 
post show surveys of all audiences (up to 3,000 students each year) and 2 
week follow-up surveys to assess what message has stuck with the students.  I 
will attach the responses from the FALL 2006 show here.  The students tell me 
that they learn 1) that the majority of rapes are perpetrated by a 
friend/person known to the victim, 2) The absence of a "NO" does not mean 
"yes" - consensual sex is just that, consensual, 3) alcohol and sex do not 
mix!  They remember info about looking out for themselves and friends when 
going out, and that unfortunately, that predators are everywhere.  If I could 
get every student to internalize even those few facts, I am THRILLED!  We 
then follow up with more "intellectual" presentations on sexual assault 
throughout the year.  However, again, my research shows that they are more 
open to subsequent discussions, having been introduced to the topic in a 
non-blaming, digestible format.  I think it is important to remember that no 
one program can reach all audiences and accomplish all things.  There are 
fabulous programs out there that are more "informational" in nature, more 
"academic" in content, etc.  This is a program that is targeted toward a 
specific audience - and 6 years worth of data that I have collected suggests 
that it is hitting that nail on the head. I should also note, that despite 
the fact that it uses up a large part of their yearly budget, this program is 
100% funded by our student government.  Each year, they have voted to bring 
the show back, because they feel that it is important for new students to 
see.  Finally, we now have a "culture" of Sex Signals on campus.  Our peer 
advocates almost universally join the peer education program stating that 
seeing "sex signals" encouraged them to join efforts toward education.
 
I would be happy to share any other data I have collected if anyone is 
interested.
 
Thanks for the open discussion on this topic.
 
Jodi
 
 
Jodi K. Caldwell, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist
Assistant Director for Training
Chair, Sexual Assault Response Team
Georgia Southern University
P. O. Box 8011
Statesboro, GA 30460
(912) 681-5541
(912) 681-0834 (fax)

 
 
Visit our exciting web sites!
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>>> Hannah Lindsay 
>>> <>
>>>  3/4/2007 8:25 PM >>>
I am sorry for using the word "dangerous"... I did not mean for it to come 
across as attacking - and I explained this to Brett in an email prior to him 
sending out this email. I am not intending to "shoot inward". As I explained 
to Brett previously, I was attempting to spur discussion.

I don't agree that it's OK to blame rape on miscommunication, but at the same 
time I think that communication is important to teach - it's crucial for 
healthy relationships. 

I'm open to further discussion. I think we all need to learn from each other, 
and I've learned much from all of you.

Hannah Lindsay

----- Original Message -----
From: "Ben Atherton-Zeman - Feminist,Actor and Husband" 
<>
Date: Sunday, March 4, 2007 4:48 pm
Subject: Circle those wagons!

> Thanks, Brett, for saying what was on my mind - twice!
> 
> I am a huge fan of Sex Signals, partly because they dare to use 
> humor and theatre to try and end sexual violence.  I am a fan 
> because I've seen Sex Signals get past male defensiveness.  I am a 
> fan for many other reasons - one of them is that I, too, have seen 
> Christian and Gail accept criticism and incorporate it into their 
> performance - they did so years ago, when I worked at a University 
> and we brought them. 
> 
> No, it's not the ideal program for some.  That's why we're a broad-
> based movement - if you don't like Sex Signals, you invite someone 
> else - Brett Sokolow would be a good choice.  We're even to the 
> point where don't just have a variety of speakers on these issues, 
> but a variety of artists and performers - you can invite "You the 
> Man," www.addverbproductions.com, Rivka Solomon's "That Takes 
> Ovaries," www.thattakesovaries.org, or visual artist Marta Sanchez 
> www.poetryandart.org.  
> 
> I agree that it's a huge step to call "Sex Signals"s hard work 
> "dangerous."  Unless you mean "dangerous to the patriarchy."  :)  
> 
> Do folks agree that we tend to circle the wagons and shoot inward? 
> If so, why do folks think we are sometimes harder on our own 
> folks within the movement than we are on rapists and batterers?  
> I'm curious as to what others think about this.  
> 
> Until the violence stops, Ben.  
> 
> Ben Atherton-Zeman, Acton MA USA
> Actor, Comedian, Feminist and Husband
> Presenting a One-Man Play: "Voices of Men," www.voicesofmen.org 
> (video clips take a second to load)
> Booking information: 978-263-3254
> 
> If I ever say anything smart or insightful, it's probably 
> something taught to me by a woman.  If I ever do anything that 
> makes a difference, it's probably because I was inspired by a 
> woman's example.  
> March is National Women's History (some say Herstory) Month - What 
> women in your life do you admire?
> Celebrate the month in your community: www.nwhp.org. 
> And don't forget International Women's Day is March 8th: 
> http://www.un.org/ecosocdev/geninfo/women/womday97.htm.  ;
> _______________________________________________
> SAPC mailing list
> 
>  
> https://list.mail.virginia.edu/mailman/listinfo/sapc ;
> 
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