Survivor’s United on Their ‘Tools for Tough Times” Event Being Held on Nov. 18, and Providing Resources for Survivors

This article discusses topics related to sexual violence.

Maven Blackwood and Ander Beal sit in the small partition of the VFSC that remains useable. The weekend’s main event, the Day of Data conference, is being prepared for in the main space. With paint markers they are crafting two of the posters that will announce their organization’s tabling event, Tools for Tough Times, to be held in the foyer of the VLIB building between 11am and 1pm on Wednesday, Nov. 18. 

Blackwood is a dual major student, pursuing an undergrad in neuroscience with a minor in psychology, as well as a biology major with a minor in microbiology. Across from them is Andrew Beal, an English major with a minor in creative writing. They are both officers in the student organization, Survivor’s United (SU).

SU is an advocacy group providing resources and support to victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. As Blackwood, the organization’s current president says, they do not “want people to feel like they have to experience this journey alone” in the wake of experiencing violence. 

While the organization doesn’t directly provide services to survivors, it does connect them with organizations and resources that “can provide additional support and hopefully mitigate some of the painful experiences that come alongside being a survivor” of sexual or domestic violence.

As part of SU’s broader effort on student wellness, Tools for Tough Times will offer resource accessibility by offering free supplies, wellness items, and information on campus and community resources. They seek to promote practical self-care in students during the stressful period towards the end of the semester and the holiday season. 

Blackwood says, the “resource guides and the event will help connect students with practical tools that can support their daily well-being and their academic success; especially in the face of approaching finals.”

This is one of four events that SU is sponsoring this semester. Their previous event, titled “In Her Shoes”, Blackwood says was “an interactive simulation that focused on immersing a person into the extensive barriers that can be faced when trying to navigate systems of law and familial relations after surviving a traumatic event“. 

Beal is SU’s Marketing Officer. They say that as a survivor themselves it can be helpful just knowing others out there.

“Knowing that we’re here,” Beal says, “can bolster their hope and their faith into seeking their own resources and their own way through this horrible, horrible” experience, even if they don’t connect directly with SU.

They both note that the issue is sadly pertinent. In addition to national headlines, such as the ongoing scandals of sexual assault at Cornell University, there is an uptick in sexual violence on college campuses during the first few months of the fall semester. 

Citing survivor advocacy organizations, such as RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) and It’s On Us, they note that the period from August to November is referred to as “The Red Zone”, a term coined in the 1988 book by Robin Warshaw, “I Never Called it Rape”. Upwards of half of all campus-related sexual assaults occur during this period according to RAINN.

SU is looking at a final event in December with the hope of bringing therapy dogs to campus for an end of semester event tentatively called, “Pause and Relax” as they continue their mission of promoting student wellness.

“We have a team of seven of us,” Blackwood says, but the demands of school and outside employment limits the time they can spend on SU.

“But with what spare time we do have,” they say, “we definitely put all the effort we can into advocating for, and being a part of, the campus community.”

SU’s Tools for Tough Times will be in the foyer of the VLIB building between 11am and 1pm on Wednesday, Nov. 18.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, confidential support and resources are available through the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN). Visit rainn.org or call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673) for free, 24/7 support.