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

[Gillian Greensite <>]

Hi,

A few thoughts on your quest for a new name.

I think there is virtue in avoiding euphemisms for the name of an office or program. For 30 years I headed Rape Prevention Education at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Each of the then 9 UC's had a similarly named program. Over the years, all but one changed their names so that the word "rape" disappeared. I thought this was a mistake. There is something profoundly important in my mind in keeping the word "rape" visible and central. All of my peer educators were apprised of the need to not use an acronym but to say the name in full and with emphasis. I would explain that for the first time in thousands of years we are beginning to acknowledge the reality of rape, so let's not bury the word itself so quickly. Keeping the word "rape" alive is a political act. 

I realize that programs these days cover more issues of gender violence than "just" rape so a broader term is probably needed but I would resist the pressure to move too far away from reality. Gender Equity seems a popular title but even that gets shortened to GENEQ which makes me groan. If I were establishing a program today I would find a way to keep "rape" in the title. Students may be "turned off" by words that are descriptive of the work you are doing but in this case their feedback may not be the best guide. I guess a name such as "The center for consensual sexuality" is more appealing but how long before rape itself is never discussed? Rape as a word is chilling but the reality is far more chilling. One aspect of the trauma of rape lies in the difficulty of even saying the word out loud which is indicative of the shame and stigma involved. I'm not sure that using the euphemism " non-consensual sex" for rape captures the essence of the harm and humiliation suffered. 

I never heard from students in my 30 years that the name of my program was a barrier to their seeking support. True, I didn't hear from students who didn't seek my support but the issue of a problem with the name never came up in workshops or discussions. In contrast to the name of the program or office, in order to attract students to our educational programs and peer -led workshops, we rarely used the word "rape" since attendance was voluntary. In that context I would  approach the issue of rape obliquely through an examination of gender and the media or use popular films followed by a discussion without using "rape" in the publicity but certainly addressing it in the discussions. Rape is a central theme ( although usually invisible and unexamined) in history, social justice issues and popular media so there is no shortage of avenues to address rape in context.  It's probably worth saying that none of the educational programs was offered in the office bearing the name, Rape Prevention Education. We went to where students were at or to lecture halls, dorms etc. Not sure if that is true for you. The physical office was where students came for support or volunteer work. However in lectures or programs, I always introduced myself as from Rape Prevention Education and then proceeded to discuss with them why that word was so scary and difficult to say.

Keeping the word "rape" alive, as in Rape Prevention Education, was a 30 year struggle since the admin. was eager to bury it. The usual attempt was to hide it under Health issues where it now lingers with even the word "rape" removed.

Best of luck in your search for a new name. 

Regards,

Gillian ( coincidentally!)

On Feb 19, 2013, at 2:59 PM, Gillian Kaag wrote:

Hello Everyone,

 

I am wondering if you can share with me what the name of your office/program is that is dedicated to the prevention of/response to gender-based violence.  Along with this, I am wondering how effective the name has been and how students have responded to your office/program’s name. 

 

We are exploring new names for our office and are exploring name options that would ideally be inviting and informative.  Feedback from the students suggests that they are turned off by titles that include the words:  “violence,” “sexual assault,” or “rape.”  I look forward to any information/feedback you can share with me. 

 

Thanks!

Gillian

 

Gillian Finocan Kaag, Ph.D.

Program Director, Gender-Based Violence Education and Support Services

Staff Psychologist, University of Denver Health and Counseling Center

 

( (phone) 303.871.3853 | 7 (fax) 303.871.4242 | * (email)  | : (web) http://www.du.edu/duhealth/

 

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